Imphal, July 16: Scores of protesters who came out on the streets, defying curfew, to denounce the excesses of security personnel and in particular against the recent killing of Th Manorama by Assam Rifles personnel, have been hospitalized, when police resorted to firing tear gas canisters and rubber bullets to foil protest rallies at different parts of the State today.

Defying the curfew imposed in Greater Imphal area, many people responded to the protest rally call made by 30 different organizations.

Although the routes of the proposed rally was kept secret and the organizers have not sought any permission for holding the demonstration, preparations were seen made in every localities with local meira paibis mobilizing the people for the protest rally since early morning today.

In view of this, the State Government had already taken up stringent security measures to foil the rally and security forces including Manipur Police, Commandos, IRB and Manipur Rifles were deployed in large number at various strategic points in Greater Imphal area where curfew has been in force since yesterday.

At around 11 am, a large number of people coming from Wangkhei, Ayangpalli Road and Kongba areas gathered at Kongba Bazar with the intention of taking out the protest rally towards the road leading to Bamon Kampu.

Security personnel persuaded them to go back to their respective houses as curfew was still in force, but the infuriated people refused to turn back.

The n followed some heated exchange of words between the protesters and the security personnel.

To prevent the situation from getting out of control, the security personnel resorted to firing tear gas canisters and rubber bullets to disperse the gathering at Kongba Bazar.

Besides, tear gases and rubber bullets, the security personnel also resorted to blank firing to prevent the rallyists coming from Wangkhei side.

The action of the security personnel infuriated the angry protesters all the more and they started pelting stones and shooting catapults towards them.

As the situation became tense with the security personnel at the receiving ends and their stock of tear gas shells and rubber bullets running out, more reinforcement and ammunition were immediately called in.

When the reinforcement team and extra ammunition arrived, police commandos managed to drive away the protesters with heavy firing of tear gas shells and rubber bullets from within bullet proof vehicles.

The situation was finally put under control at around 2.30 pm.

More than 1000 tear gas canisters and rubber bullets were reportedly fired from the side of security personnel to control the mob.

At least ten persons sustained injuries in the Kongba incident and they were treated at JN Hospital, Porompat.

They are Choudhurymayum Sanahanbi (38) of Bamon Kampu Huirem Leikai, Laiphrakpam Noyonsana (50) of Kongba Kshetri Leikai, Keisham Menjor (20) of Kongba Kshetri Leikai, Pangabam Premananda(36) of Kongba Kshetri Leikai, Ngangbam Lemba (20) of Bamon Kampu, Kunjamayum Tony (18) of Bamon Kampu, Nongthombam Priyokumar (22) of Bamon Kampu, Longjam Suresh (19) of Ayangpalli, Meihoubam Ongbi Angoubi (45) of Bamon Kampu and Wahengbam Robindro (31) of Bamon Kampu.

All ten of them were hit by rubber bullets.

However, as the condition of Angoubi was serious, she has been referred to RIMS Hospital.

Even as the stand off between the security personnel and the protesters was at its peak, a 407 Mini Tata coming along Wangkhei Ayangpalli Road bringing security personnel including women Home Guards were allegedly pushed down by angry people into the roadside drain.

But the police refuted that it was pushed down by the people, but met with an accident.

At least five women who sustained injuries when police fired tear gas canisters and rubber bullets to disperse a large group of Meira Paibis coming from Khabam Lamkhai side to take part in the proposed rally in defiance of curfew at Chingmeirong at around 12.30 pm today, have been admitted at RIMS Hospital.

The five women who were hospitalised are identified as Thingom Leipaklei (45) of Laipham Khunou, Naorem Bino (26) of Laipham Khunou, Lousigam Pakpi (45) of Achanbigei, Waikhom Bormani (52) of Khabam Heibong Makhong and Sinam Mema (35) of Achanbigei Makha Leikai.

Leipaklei was hit by a rubber bullet on lower part of her buttock and is said to have been lodged inside the flesh.

N Bino sustained injuries caused by a rubber pellet near her rectum.

L Papki was lucky enough with only a rubber bullet injury on her right hand.

But it was not so for S Mema who sustained two large and grievous bullet wounds on her back.

While in case of W Bormani it was the tear gas that had gone into the eye making her vision blurry and teary all the time.

At Khurai Lamlong Bazar infuriated women were engaged in a verbal duel with State security personnel resulting in the cops resorting to mild baton charge, bursting of tear-gas and firing of rubber bullets and live bullets in.

the air to disperse the mob.

Slogans demanding scrapping of draconian laws, denouncing extra-judicial killing of innocent persons were also shouted by the women agitators.

In solidarity with the ongoing agitation against security force personnel atrocities arid killing of Manorama effigies of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and 9 Sector Assam Rifles Commander VK Pillai were burnt at Mayang Imphal bazar today.

Shops also downed shutters for the day to protest the extra-judicial killing.

Around 500 Meira Paibis coming out Sagolband Khamnam Leirak side towards Tera Bazar to take part in the rally were also prevented by the police personnel who were already waiting at Tera Bazar.

At Naoremthong also, police foiled the attempt of the Meira Paibis to take out a rally by firing tear gas canisters and rubber bullets.

One Usham Sushila sustained rubber bullet injuries on her rear part and she was admitted to RIMS Hospital.

Meira Paibis were proceeding towards Khwairamband Bazar when they were confronted with the police personnel.

At Keishampat near Krishnadas Oil Pump, police dispersed a group of womenfolk who came out for demonstration by bursting tear gases.

Undeterred by police action, around 30 women also tried to block the Tiddim Road by lying prostrated at around 2 pm today.

They were, however, chased away by the police with batons and firing of tear gas canisters.

Near Thouda Bhabok, Sega Road too, police prevented a group of women coming from Kwakeithel side to hold demonstration.

Meanwhile, MLA of Keishamthong A/C L Ibomcha visited the persons who sustained rubber bullets injuries at the hospitals.

Protest rally was also taken out at Thoubal district today in condemnation of the killing of Th Manorama by Assam Rifles personnel in their custody.

Many people took part in the demonstration and they later submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner of the District.

Though curfew has not been clamped in the district, police swung into action and resorted to lathi-charge and firing tear gases causing injuries to many rallyists.

People in large number have reportedly come in four/five buses from Wabagai side to take part in the rally at about 1 pm.

They joined other protestors who were already gathered at Thoubal Mela Ground and proceeded towards DC Office to submit the memorandum.

The district administration had given permission for the rally till DC office, but as the protestors started going towards Thoubal Bazar after submitting the memorandum, police personnel were compelled to use force on the protestors.

The injured persons may be reportedly hospitalized.

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