Protest erupts, residence of ministers, MLAs vandalised
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 16 2024: Protests erupted widely on Saturday after the recovery of three bodies out of six civilians abducted by Kuki militants, while irate people stormed the residences of some ministers and MLAs, vandalising and torching household properties.

Over a dozen of protestor were injured during the protest.

Soon after receiving news of the recovery of the bodies abducted by Kuki militants from Jiribam on November 11, people came out voluntarily onto the streets from early morning on Saturday and held protest demonstrations in several areas.

Protest erupts, residence of ministers, MLAs vandalised

Important markets in Imphal East district, such as Lamlong Bazar, Konung Mamang, and Kongba Bazar, shut down from early morning, and people blocked roads, including the Imphal-Ukhrul road.

Similar protests were also seen along the Uripok-Kangchup road, Tiddim road, Kwakeithel Bazar, Lamphel Sanakeithel, Thangmeiband road, DMU Gate, Nagamapal, Khoyathong, North AOC, and several places along Mayai Lambi road.

Protestors also burned tyres on roads at several locations.

Irate protestors at Lamlong Bazar stormed the residence of CAF & PD minister and Khurai MLA L Susindro, but Imphal East district police controlled the situation.

Protestors along Tiddim road, particularly at Kwakeithel Bazar, also stormed the residence of Keishamthong MLA Sapam Nishikant.

Angered by the absence of MLA Nishikant and the fact that no member of his family came out, protestors vandalised a bunker and shed constructed at the gate of the house.

Later, the same group of people stormed the residence of Sagolband MLA RK Imo.

Irate protestors vandalised the residential gate of RK Imo and torched furniture and other household items.

Window panes of the MLA's house and CCTV cameras installed at the house were also destroyed.

Meanwhile, irate people also stormed the residence of Patsoi MLA S Kunjakeshor (Keba) located at Tera Bazar.

MLA Keba did come out to meet the people but went back inside his house when people shouted at him as he was about to speak.

Irate people broke the main gate of the MLA's house and brought out one car and two two-wheelers to the street, which were later torched.

Protestors also stormed the residence of Uripok MLA Kh Raghumani and vandalised his house.

They also torched household properties of the MLA, including one two-wheeler, on the road.

After coming out from MLA Raghumani's house, the same group of protestors stormed the residence of health minister and Konthoujam MLA Dr Sapam Ranjan at Lamphel Sanakeithel late Saturday.

Apart from vandalising the minister's household properties, the protestors also torched house-hold items, including one two-wheeler.

The same group of protestors also stormed the residence of Thangmeiband MLA Kh Joykisan and vandalised his house.

On the other hand, irate protestors stormed the residence of Minister L Susindro at Tinsid Road for the second time late Saturday evening.

As an intense tussle broke out between people and security forces guarding the minister's house, some live rounds were fired in the air to disperse the mob.

Protest erupts, residence of ministers, MLAs vandalised

Several protestors werte also reportedly injured as security forces deployed in the area used firearms to disperse the mob.

Later in the evening, a large number of irate people stormed the residence of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa MLA S Kebi at Nigthemcha Karong and vandalised the MLA's household properties.

The MLA came out of her home and talked to the people.

Later, she led a rally towards the CM Bungalow to meet CM N Biren.

However, a large number of security forces blocked the rally at Keishampat Junction traffic point by erecting barricades.

As the MLA and 10 representatives of the protestors tried to board police vehicles to meet the CM, people overcame the barricades, prompting security forces to fire tear gas shells to disperse the mob.

Police took the MLA from among the protestors.

Later in the evening, a large number of irate women stormed the residence of MAHUD minister and Singjamei MLA Y Khemchand at Singjamei Yumnam Leikai.

Minister Khemchand came out of his home to meet the protesting women.

When asked by the women protestors to resign as the government was unable to protect the lives and properties of the people, Khemchand told the protestors that the resignation of the CM would include all the council of ministers.

Nevertheless, he told the protestors that he would do whatever the people wanted as their representative.

He also assured them that he would go with the people and abide by whatever decision the people of Singjamei AC made.

He even suggested a meeting for the people of Singjamei AC to take a firm decision.

Minister Khemchand also told the protestors that he had been given no information about the cabinet meeting convened on Friday and, accordingly, did not attend the meeting.

In Kakching district, large number of protestors stormed and vandalised the home of Kakching MLA Mayanglambam Rameshwar at around 6 pm.

The protestors also burned some vehicles of the MLA including a dumper truck.

Some of the protestors even assaulted the MLA, took him to Kakching Keithel for a public meeting.

At Kakching Keithel, some protestors started assaulting the MLA again upon which police rescued and took him away.

At around 8.30 pm, another group of protestors stormed the home of Hiyanglam MLA Dr Yumnam Radheshyam at Langmeidong Keithel and set ablaze the house.

Th MLA was at his official residence in Imphal at the time of the incident.

Another group of irate protestors also stormed the house of Wabagai MLA Dr Usham Deben and burn the house He was also in his official residence at the time of the incident.

In Bishnupur district, large number of protestors stormed the home of works minister Govindas Konthoujam at around 10 pm and vandalised properties.

Security deployed there were overwhelmed by the protestors, who burned the outhouse shed and part of the house.

Additional security forces arrived at the location and fired tear gas and smoke bombs to disperse the protestors, in which some of the protestors were injured.

Late report also said that irate protestors also stormed and vandalised the home of Lamsang MLA S Rajen in the late night.