Imphal, August 19: The agitation launched by the Zomi Students' Federation in pursuit of their demands took an ugly turn today with incensed people, demanding the release of 7 students, storming the CCpur police station and burning five police vehicles while three students were hurt when the security personnel of the Deputy Commissioner of the district opened fire.

The district administration has imposed an indefinite curfew from 11 am today.

A team from the side of the Government is scheduled to proceed to CCpur j tomorrow to talk to the agitating students.

The team includes IFC Minister Phungzathang Tonsing, MLA Manga Vaiphei, MLA Dr Chaltonlien Amo, HAC Chairman Songchinkhup and MLA Bijoy Koijam.

Things took a turn for the worse when a large number of people came to the police station to demand the release of 7 students who were arrested earlier for enforcing the bandh called by the ZSF.

The people demanded that the students be released as the indefinite bandh had been called off.

Police however stuck to their groand and refused to free the seven students.

Soon after a huge crowd proceeded to the quarters of the DC who was with former Minister V Hangkhanlian at that time.

Even as the DC was trying to pacify the incensed people, the crowd started getting restive and more vocal in their demand, and sensing trouble, the security escorts of the DC fired a few rounds to disperse the crowd.

Three students were hurt in the firing.

The students, all from VK Towna college, are identified as Songlianmang (left side of the stomach), Gin Biak Song (right thigh) and Chingtungnung (leg).

The three students were rushed to CCpur district hospital for treatment.

According to police, the security escort of the DC opened fire as the crowd became violent and there was a danger to his personal safety as well.

As news of the injuries caused to the three students spread, a huge crowd gathered and marched upto to the Churachandpur police station.

The mob barged into the police station and then pulled out a Gypsy and a Jeep parked inside the station and set them on fire on the road.

Three more vehicles parked inside the police station were also burnt down by the mob.

The vehicles included a previously burnt vehicle of the ADC (Gypsy), one Mini Tata, one Gypsy and one cycle.

The angry people then turned their attention towards a newly constructed building of the police station and tried to set it aflame.

The mob pulled out the wire and damaged other items kept inside the building.

The rooms where the IOs stay as well as records and other documents were damaged in the attack.

DIG Range II Karnajit and CCpur SP, S Ibocha were prevented from coming out of the police stations.

The wind screen of a vehicle belonging to the Fire Brigade was shattered to pieces.

Nine people were injured when the police fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets to bring the situation under control.

As news of the violence spread, additional police force led by the IGP(LO-II) A Romenkumar rushed to CCpur but even then the people put up road blocks to stop the police officer and the additional force to proceed towards Churachandpur town.

It was only at about 3.30 pm the mob was finally brought under control.

BSF troops were pressed into action to control the situation and the fire at the police station was put out by BSF men.

Along with the police the BSF troops managed to slowly push back the mob.

The seven bandh supporters who were arrested yesterday were produced before the Court today and were released on bail later today, said police.

Later speaking to newsmen at Lamka, president of the Zomi Students' Federation, H Mangchinkhup said that the agitation will continue.

The student leader also accused the DC of not listening to voice raised to release the seven students and accused the DC of opening fire at the students.

While the people were marching towards the quarters of the DC, IRB personnel also opened fire, said the student leader and added that one UG group also opened fire at the crowd.

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