Imphal, July 17: Even as Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has assured the people of taking up rigid steps to punish guilty AR personnel involved in custodial death of Th Manorama, wide spread protest demonstration continued at every nook and corner of the State today.

Police also swung into action and lobbed tear gas shells and fired rubber bullets to disperse angry protestors at Greater Imphal area as well as in parts of Thoubal and Bishnupur districts where curfew is enforced, causing injuries to many in the process.

The injured have been hospitalized.

At Lamshang, at least four women sustained severe rubber bullet injuries when police used force and routed them from staging protest at Lamshang Bazar this morning.

The injured women are identified as Koijam Ongbi Taruni, L Rajana, Ksh Naobi and Thambal.

They have been rushed to hospital for treatment.

Three girls who suffered rubber bullet injuries and lathi-charge during a protest at Kongba Nongthombam Leikai have also been hospitalised at JN Hospital, Porompat.

They are Nongthombam Chaobi alias Memtombi (18), Nongthombam Sajoubi (20) and Athokpam Romi (17), all residents of Kongba area.

One 35-year old woman, identified as Toijam Shantibala has also been admitted at the same hospital for the injuries she suffered when police fired tear gases to scare away sit-in-protestors in front of Thambalkhong Junior High School at around 11 am today.

At RIMS Hospital, one 50-year old woman identified as Yumnam Indramani (50) who fainted after a tear gas canister hit her while taking part in a protest demonstration at Chingmeirong Mamang Leikai this afternoon and one 18-year Dayananda who sustained rubber bullet injuries on his leg during demonstration at Langthabal Mantrikhong have also been hospitalised.

Agitators from Pheidinga and its surrounding area also staged sit-in-protest against custodial killing of Manorama at Pheidinga bazar.

Manipur University Students' Union today mobilized and organized a protest demonstration in front of the University gate.

When police arrived at the scene with the intention of dispersing the crowd, there ensued a pitched battle of firing tear gas shells and stone pelting between the security personnel and angry protestors.

At Naharup Pangong Makhong, a large number of womenfolk had come out to stage dharna responding to the joint protest call of Leitambi Chaokhat Thoudang Nupi Lup, Pangong Makhong; Naharup Pangong Makhong Women's Welfare Association; Thangbijon Muslim Welfare Organisation and Naharup Mayai Leikai Women's Association.

The women protestors were, however, dispersed by the police with used of force.

At Wangoi bazar, police have to use force with firing of tear gas canisters and rubber bullets to disperse the determined protestors from demonstration thrice.

The protest demonstration was jointly organised by volunteers of Chanura Lamjinglen Kangleipak, Wangoi and local meira paibis of Thiyam Leishangkhong.

At Pallel Bazar in Chandel district, womenfolk of all communities including Maring, Kuki, Meetei and Chothe among others staged a mass sit-in-protest.

The agitation was jointly organised by All Pallel Women's Development Assn, All Meira Paibi Organisation and Chingmi Tammi Apunba Lup.

Later during the day, the women protestors also took out a massive rally in the area with slogan shouting demanding punishment of killers of Manorama.

Thousands of womenfolk took out a massive protest rally from Yaingangpokpi to Khurai Lamlong bazar and burnt the effigy of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh in front of the Assam Rifles post at Chingarel Tejpur today in protest against killing of Manorama.

As the rallyists reached Sawombung area police personnel already deployed there blocked the path of the rallyists leading to exchange of angry words between the security personnel and the protestors.

In their bid to control the mob, police resorted to firing rubber bullets and tear gas shells, thereby causing injuries to at least eight women.

They were immediately rushed to JN Hospital for treatment.

Protest rally was also reportedly took out along Imphal-Pangei Road today.

The rallyists intended to go till Khurai Lamlong bazar, however, they were dispersed enroute by security personnel.

Undeterred by police action, meira paibis of the area also took out a torch rally at night from Yumnam Khunou to Pangei Bazar.

Meanwhile, Social Meditation Assn, Churachandpur district has strongly condemned use of force by police personnel against women protestors who attempted to take out a dharna in connection with custodial death of Manorama at Churachandpur today.

Police baton-charged and fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets to chase the protestors, thereby causing injuries to many in the melee.

A sit-in-protest cum public rally was also organised from Khumbong to Keithelmanbi today under the aegis of Konthoujam Kendra Apunba Meira Pabis Lup.

The protestors shouted slogans demanding punishment of AR personnel involved in killing of Manorama and repealing of Armed Forces Special Power Act from Manipur.

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