Patsoi bandh turns violent, one killed, four vehicles torched
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 14 2015 : Even as at least four four-wheeler vehicles were set ablaze and a man died during the indefinite bandh called at Patsoi area on NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam road) in protest against the killing of two labourers and thrashing of a minor boy by cadres of KRF, Imphal West district admini-stration has clamped indefinite curfew at Patsoi with effect from 11.30 am today.

Meanwhile, the JAC constituted against the killing of two labourers and thrashing of a minor boy has announ-ced a 24-hour general strike with effect from the midnight of May 15 .

As the meeting between Chief Minister Okram Ibobi and JAC representatives failed to arrive at any understanding last night, large number of people continued to block NH-37 from Takyel Kolom Leikai to Moidangpok at different sections since early morning today.

The bandh supporters placed boulders, tree bran-ches and bamboos etc on the road.

Although, police were deployed at different locations on the highway, bandh supporters set ablaze four four-wheeler vehicles during the bandh.

People blocking Imphal-Jiribam highway and (inset) vehicles burnt during the bandh

All the shops and other business establishments located along the road remained shut.

One Bolero jeep (MN04-7803), one Hyundai Accent car and one Tata DI were burnt by bandh supporters at different localities between Patsoi Part-I and Khumbong under Patsoi police station from early morning till 10.30 am.

A public meeting was held at Patsoi Part-III community hall at around 8 am wherein representatives from civil society organisations like UCM, AMUCO, MAPI Council, NIPCO, UPF, Macha Leima and MNF also took part.

Later, Imphal West District Magistrate imposed in- definite curfew from Keithel-manbi to Langjing Jiri park- ing with effect from 11.30 am today.

Additional security forces of atleast three platoons of IRB have been deployed along the stretch to bring the situation under control.

However at around 1.30 pm, suspected bandh supporters burnt down a Sakti- man truck (ML 07-4464) at an isolated place at Khaidem Palli along an inter-village road connecting Haorang Keirel to Lamshang under Lamshang police station.

One person was found lying injured at a nearby paddy field, around 200 metres away from the truck.

Later, locals informed about the injured person to police, who rushed him to RIMS hospital.

However, doctors declared him brought dead.

Atleast three other persons, who were beaten up by angry bandh supporters, are undergoing treatment at RIMS hospital.

The decision to impose a State-wide 24-hour general strike with effect from the midnight of May 15 was taken at the public meeting held at Patsoi Part-III community hall at around 8 am.

It was also resolved in the meeting that compensation for the two deceased persons and injured boy must be provided by KRF and not by the State Government.

It was decided to press the Government to immediately suspend the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact with KRF and punish the culprits of Mapao Khullen incident.

Urging the Government to provide suitable Government jobs to the next of kin of the deceased persons, the JAC also resolved to intensify their agitation if their demands are not fulfilled within two days.

Urging its supporters not to resort to any form of violent activity, the JAC also decided to take out a protest rally at 10 am on May 17.Meanwhile, unknown persons burnt down a place of worship at Langjing and a Gypsy at Patsoi last night.