Protesters defy curfew, over 60 including journalist injured
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 06 2023: Responding to the call of Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) to storm the army barricades and bunkers of Kuki militants set up till Torbung, hundreds of people gathered at Phougakchao Ikhai, Bishnupur district tried to break through the barricades in an attempt to reach their deserted houses in Torbung, at around 11am Wednesday.

However, despite the attempts, the protestors could not move forward from Phougakchao Ikhai.

Meanwhile, over 60 protestors, mostly women and an ANI journalist were injured when personnel of Rapid Action force (RAF), Kumaon Regiment, Assam Rifles, CRPF and ITBP fired several rounds of tear gas shells, smoke bombs, rubber bullets and even blank rounds to disperse the crowd.

On receiving news of COCOMI's plans to storm the army barricades and bunkers of Kuki militants set up till Torbung in Bishnupur district, state forces put up barricades at Kwakta Bazar from early Wednesday morning and barred all civilians from entering by setting up barricades at key points along Tiddim road.

Additionally, 5-6 Casspir vehicles belonging to the army blockaded the road, at a distance of around 200 metres from Phougakchao Ikhai.

Representatives of COCOMI and the protestors accompanied by SP Bishnupur tried their level best to fulfil the wishes of the people.

At around 12.10 pm, the protestors began io move towards Torbung from Kwakta Public Ground after a public meeting but were blocked by the state police with barricades bn Tiddim road.

The protestors tried to force their way but were met with several rounds of tear gas shells and smoke bombs, fired by the police.

The enraged protesters, however, stayed put at the spot, demanding that they be allowed to visit Torbung, from where they were displaced following the ethnic clashes since May 3.When the protestors reached Phougakchao Ikhai Thongkhong at around lpm, personnel of RAF, Kumaon Regiment, Assam Rifles and ITBP blocked the way with barb wires and barricades.

After a brief talk, the protestors tried to breach the barricade at Phougakchao Ikhai Thongkhong at around 3pm, but the security personnel fired several rounds of teargas shells, smoke bombs and even live rounds to disperse the crowd.

In the ensuing melee, a stampede occurred and several protestors also fainted.

Around 30 people were taken to CHC Moirang, while 25 others were taken to District Hospital Bishnupur for treatment.

The more seriously injured ones were rushed to Raj Medicity in Imphal.

Meanwhile, there was a huge congestion along Tiddim road from Moirang Lamkhai till Phougakchao due to the large number of protestors, assistance providers and vehicles including ambulances.

Prior to the chaos, on learning that the entry of the public had been banned, COCOMI convenor Jitendra Ningomba, co-convenor Joychandra Konthoujam, media co-ordinator Somorendro Thokchom and others arrived and discussed with the people at Kwakta Bazar community hall.

After the discussion, the COCOMI leaders went with SP Bishnupur K Meghachandra to see the areas to be cleared out.

After visiting the area, COCOMI convenor Jeetendra Ningomba informed the people at Kwakta Public Ground that the government had been urged to clear out the army barricades and bunkers of Kuki militants set up from Phougakchao Ikhai till Torbung, by August 30.However, an army bunker was found constructed at a distance of 200 metres from Phougakchao Ikhai.

Our wish is to clear the area till Torbung community hall.

But the government asked to wait till September 15.As such, he discussed with the people whether to adhere to the government's request or to go ahead with the storming.

To this, a volunteer from Torbung stated that owing to the ethnic clashes which broke out on May 3, the houses of many villagers under Torbung GP were set on fire, forcing them to seek refuge at different relief camps.

However, some men have been able to return home after state forces provided security.

He then asked who will protect the villages after the barricades are cleared and the state forces go back to their posts, while attributing any unwanted consequences resulting from the same as the responsibility of the central and state governments.

Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL) president Lourembam Nganbi told reporters, "Hundreds of Meiteis, who fled their homes at Torbung after violence broke out on May 3, are unable to visit their homes because of the barricades.

We are just demanding that those be shifted so that people can visit their homes".

Earlier, full curfew had been clamped in all the five valley districts of Manipur as a preventive measure from Tuesday evening.

In a hurriedly called press conference, government spokesperson and Information and Public Relations Minister Sapam Ranjan had on Tuesday said: "The government appeals to COCOMI to withdraw the proposed plan to storm the army barricade at Phougakchao Ikhai near Torbung on September 6" .

While movement of persons belonging to essential services such as health, electricity, PHED, petrol pumps, schools/ colleges, municipality, media, functioning of courts and passengers of flights had been exempted from the curfew; security checkpoints were set up along Tiddim road from Keishampat till Kwakta.

COCOMI media coordinator Somendro Thokchom said the committee had earlier urged the government and the authorities concerned to remove the barricades by August 30 .

(With inputs from PTI) .

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