Three cops hurt in stand off with protesters at Khurai area
Many defy curfew to take protest to new high
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 09 2015 : Even as three police personnel were injured in police-protesters tussle and seven persons, who staged protest defying the indefinite curfew, were detained at Khurai area today.

Reports said that police have arrested six JCILPS members including its convenor, Kh Ratan.

The curfew was promulgated by the District Magistrates of Imphal West and Imphal East districts in greater Imphal area after a 16-year-old student was killed in police action and many others were injured yesterday.

Since early morning today, people in large number came to the streets in the two districts and staged protests by burning tyres and placing tree branches, boulders, pipes and bamboos.

Locals of Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai, where deceased Sapam Robinhood stayed for around 13 years, staged protest on Dingku road.

Even as the police tried to disperse the protesters by firing tear gas shells and mock bombs, the protesters also retaliated by pelting stones and shooting slingshots.

The confrontation continued till late evening.

On the other hand, a large number of protesters tried to proceed towards Lamlong bridge from Pangei road, Ukhrul road and Telipati side.

Protesters in a stand off with the police

They not only burnt tyres and other wooden materials on the roads but also blocked the roads by placing electric poles, boulders and tree branches.

They also scattered broken glass bottles on the road to prevent movement of vehicles.

Tussle between police and protesters began from early morning at these areas as well.

At one point of time, the protesters launched a heavy attack on the police by pelting stones and shooting slingshots at Lamlong area wherein a police personnel received minor injury.

Again after some time, the protesters managed to march up to Lamlong crossing from three different directions resorting to another similar offensive injuring another two police personnel.

However, police pushed them back by firing teargas shells and mock bombs.

At around 2 pm again, taking advantage of explosion of a teargas shell inside the gun of a police personnel, the protesters charged towards the police.

However, police chased back the protesters by firing several rounds of live bullets in the air.

Police also fired live bullets to disperse the protesters coming from Telipati side at around the same time.

Police later chased the locals and detained a protester at Laiwangba area.

However, he was later released after due advice not to resort to violent agitation.

On Ukhrul road, the police-protesters confrontation continued till dusk.

In the late afternoon, police not only pushed back the protesters up to Khurai Popular High School area but also detained five protesters.

Police also removed all the the electric poles and boulders from the road.

Later, some women requested the police to release detainees claiming that they did not take part in the protest.

The situation in Lamlong area was tense till the time of filing this report.

Similar protests could be witnessed at Nongmeibung, Soibam Leikai, Khongman Okram Chuthek, Kongba, Wangkhei, Ayangpalli, Tinsid road, Kongba Eranpham, Thambalkhong, Khagempalli, Langjing, Mayang Imphal etc as well.

Roads were blocked at these areas as well.

At Checkon crossing, a VDF personnel was injured after he was hit by a stone pelted by the protesters.

Imphal-Moreh road, Kakwa, Naorem Leikai, Canchipur and Singjamei areas also saw similar protests.

Demanding the implementation of a stronger Bill to protect the indigenous people of the State, torch rallies were staged at different localities tonight.

On the other hand, people of all age groups numbering over 800 observed a two-minute silence to mark respect to the soul of Sapam Robinhood at Oinam today.

After the observation, people marched in an around Oinam area demanding implementation of Inner Line Permit System.

In Nambol area, thousands of people spearheaded by meira paibees and local youths marched up to Nambol Phoijing demanding the State Government to introduce a stronger Bill.

Protesters raised slogans like 'We want Inner Line Permit System', 'Killing innocent students is not acceptable', 'State Government should work for the people' .

Meira rallies were also staged at Yumnam Khunou, Keinou, Toubungkhok, Erengband and Kakching as well.

In Imphal area, the rally was also taken out at Singjamei Mayengbam Leikai, Soibam Leikai, Lamsang, Heirangoithong, Khurai Tinsid road, Ukhrul road and various other places.

People blocked the Airport road in Changnangei area.

In various other areas as well, protesters placed electric poles, trees and tyres on the road.