Dozens injured in scuffle, seven police vehicles vandalised
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kakching, July 19 2023: Dozens including protestors and police were injured in a scuffle between a group of people and Kakching district police at Kakching Thongkhong, in which seven police vehicles were also vandalised by the protestors.

As curfew was clamped in the entire valley districts along with some districts with significant Kuki population on Wednesday, Kakching dis trict police enforced the restrictions and barricaded the road at Kakching Bridge and Kakching Khongnang Mari Phangba by laying barbed wire leaving space enough for one vehicle to pass.

Amid the situation, a large number of public from Kakching district went to Torbung in Bishnupur district to participate in a protest rally.

The protestors returned home a little after 4 pm.

However, they were stopped by police at Kakching Thongkhong and prevented from proceeding ahead, which resulted in a scuffle.

Police used tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, which further infuriated the protestors, who were returning home.

The police action to prevent the returnees did not go down well with the common people as large number of protestors from different localities including Keirak, Wabagai, Hiyan glam and Kakching areas rushed to the spot.

While police fired tear gas shells, the protestors pelted stones towards the police during which several protestors and police personnel were injured.

Among the injured, Shrimayum Angouton (24) son of Sh Rabi of Kakching Wairi Salam Leikai was rushed to CHC Kakching and Moirangthem Sanatombi (52) wife of1 M Bimol of Kakching Turel Wangma Ningthou Pareng to Ema Hospital Kakching.

Conditions of both are stated to be out of danger at the time of filing this report.

On the other hand, a Thoubal district CDO jawan also suffered injuries after a mob assaulted him amid the scuffle.

At least seven police vehicle including that of Kakching SP and additional SP (LO) were vandalised by the irate protestors.

Later, the protestors stormed Kakching police station where they vandalised a sentry post and burned the gate of the police station.

They also tried to storm the SP's office but police stopped them.

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