Five hurt in firing by MLA's escort
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 01 2011: At least five people including a student sustained injuries when MLA of Wangjing-Tentha A/C Moirangthem Hemanta and his escort personnel allegedly opened fire and baton-charged a group of people at Wangjing Bazar today.

Infuriated at the conduct of the MLA and his escort personnel, a mob ransacked the office of Congress Block Committee at Wangjing Bazar.

Along with formation of a JAC over the incident, a memorandum has also been submitted to the Chief Minister demanding action against the MLA.

According to information received by the press, the incident took place at Wangjing Bazar at around 8 am today.

Defying the social boycott call of the MLA issued by a group of people in Wangjing area, Hemanta had come to participate in an election meeting held at the house of one of his active workers identified as Lairikyengbam Bijen at Wangjing Bazar today.

Office of the Congress Block Committee damaged by the mob

On hearing the visit of the MLA, a large number of people including women came out and tried to stop the vehicle of the MLA from proceeding ahead.

The escort personnel of the MLA tried to disperse the protestors.

It led to a confrontation between the two parties and the escort personnel opened several rounds of fire and lathi-charged the protestors.

In the ensuing melee, Samurailatpam Ajoy (26) s/o Nanda of Wangjing So-rokhaibam Leikai was grazed by a bullet on his right knee while Maibam Ongbi Ratna (38) w/o Maibam Gunindro of Wangjing Wangkhei Leikai, Langpoklakpam Ongbi Damenti (43) w/o L Iboyaima of Tekcham Leikai, Khwairakpam Manao (32) s/o Kh Samo of Wangjing Sorokhaibam Leikai and Thongrakpam Riskhikanta (20) s/o Th Brojeshore of Wangjing Hudambam Maning Leikai were hurt in the lathi-charge.

All the injured were given first aid in a private clinic at Wangjing Bazar and were later admitted to Thoubal district hospital for further treatment.

According to another report, when the MLA arrived at Wangjing Bazar today morning, two persons namely Tekcham Bimol and Laikhuram Deven, both residents of Wangjing Bazar, urged the MLA for early completion of a Durga Pujah Mandap being constructed from his Local Area Development Fund since early part of this year.

However, the MLA not only abused the two persons verbally but also whisked out his license gun and opened fire at them.

At that time, the escort personnel of the MLA started opening indiscriminate firing and lathi-charging the people.

Unhappy over the conduct of the MLA and his escort personnel, infuriated public not just ransacked the office of Block Congress located at Wangjing Bazar but also caused damage to a Honda Activa bearing registration no.MN04-7556 .

Hearing the news of the violence, a reinforcement team from Thoubal District Police rushed in and controlled the mob fury with releasing of many tear gas canisters.

Later on, a public meeting was held at the Volleyball ground of Wangjing Sorokhaibam Leikai wherein a Joint Action Committee was formed and decided to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister for taking up necessary action against MLA Hemanta.

After the meeting, around 2000 people were coming towards the Chief Minister's bungalow to submit the memorandum when Singjamei Police stopped them at Kakwa.

From there, a six-member delegation of the JAC was allowed to proceed to the Chief Minister's bungalow.