CLP decides to constitute Judicial inquiry to probe Robinhood's death
new Bill to be prepared within one month Sit-in-protests, human chains and torch rallies held extensively
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 20 2015 : Even as pressure mounted on the Government to implement the Inner Line Permit System in the State with the JCILPS leading the way, the Congress Legislature Party, after a series of meeting, has decided to constitute a Judicial inquiry to probe the circumstances that led to the death of Sapam Robinhood in police action on July 8 .

Robinhood was a Class XI student of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary School and was taking part in a protest demonstration when he was fatally hit by a rubber bullet on the chin on July 8 .

This decision was taken during the Congress Legislature Party meeting which began yesterday and stretched on till today.

The meeting also decided to endorse the decision taken by the All Political Party meeting to protect the indigenous people of the State held on July 16 and to draft a new Bill towards this end in one month.

The two new decisions will be placed before the Cabinet to get a formal approval.

Torch rally staged at night as part of the protest

Even as the CLP adopted these two points and spelt them out to the media in the night today, earlier in the day, a large number of people in response to the call of the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) took out rallies and staged sit-ins at different places of the State.

Later in the evening, stretching till late into the night torch rallies were staged at different parts of Imphal.

Pitched battles between protesters and the police stretched late into the night, especially along Tiddim road.

Torch rallies were taken out on Tiddim road, Indo-Burma road, Thangmeiband side, Uripok, Sagolband etc.

The rallyists from Thangmeiband side ventured up to MG Avenue with the police keeping a close watch.

Objects were placed across the road and put on fire, all over Imphal.

Earlier in the day, suspending normal daily activities, a large number of people came out to the streets to stage democratic forms of agitation today demanding immediate implementation of ILPS in the State.

Protesters staged roadblock along Dingku road, Khurai, Singjamei, Tera Lamlong etc since early morning.

Shops and other business establishments remained closed for the day.

Protesters under the aegis of the JAC against the killing of Robinhood came out to the street from early morning and disrupted vehicular movement along the road by forming human chains.

They also burned tyres and others along the Dingku road-Lamlong keithel road.

The JAC members also blocked various inter-village roads.

Lamlong Keithel remained shut.

On the other hand, a large number of protesters came out to the street and disturbed normal vehicular movement at Tera bazar and its surrounding areas by forming human chains and by placing various objects along Tera bazar and Sayang road.

The protesters slowly marched toward Imphal bazar from Tera bazar.

The protesters shouted slogans like 'we dislike O Ibobi led Government,' 'we want ILP,' 'punish the guilty police personnel behind the killing of Robinhood' and 'save the indigenous people' .

The protest march was joined by a large number of womenfolk and locals who were staging sit in protests at various localities of Sagolband upto Tera bazar in their respective localities demanding ILPS.

A team of police led by SDPO Imphal arrived at the spot when the rally reached Moirang Leirak area and tried to prevent the protesters from marching further.

After a negotiation, the protesters were allowed to proceed till Meino Leirak.

On reaching Meino leirak the rally was again stopped by a team of police.

The protesters were turned back from there.

However, the rallyists again took a U-turn and further carried out their protest rally towards Imphal market.

A large number of protesters were diverted to Uripok side from Meino bridge.

The rally was forced to return from Uripok side from where many locals and womenfolk of Uripok joined.

The rally was stopped by a large number of police personnel at Uripok Gopalalji Leirak who prevented them from marching ahead.

In the meantime, two rallies that began from Uripok were already heading towards Khwairamband Keithel.

Two groups of protesters joined them later.

The protesters were stopped by the police at Gopalalji Leirak and later the police allowed them to take out their protest rally further by placing a large number of police personnel at Uripok Machin and Wahengbam Leikai to prevent them from proceeding further from there.

Angry protesters also beat up two youths at Meino Leirak area.

However, the youth were rescued after women protesters intervened and informed the police about the incident.

A police team rushed to the spot and took the two youths in their custody.

At the same time, some police personnel sustained injuries when they were attacked by the protesters using sling shots and stones.

A confrontation between the protesters and the police ensued.

Police personnel resisted the attack for over 10 minutes and retreated slowly.

Later police personnel were forced to fire smoke bombs towards the protesters who were attacking the personnel.

On the other hand, a large number of womenfolk who were part of the protest rally stormed the residence of MLA of Uripok AC, L Nandakumar.

However, no untoward incident has been reported as police swiftly kept the situation under control.

Later in the evening, a large number of ILPS protesters came out on the Uripok- Kangchup road and disturbed traffic movement.

Responding to the call of the JCILPS, sit-ins were held at different parts of the State.

Suspending daily activities, vendors of Ema Panthoibi Sana Keithel (Temporary Market Shed), Khwairamband staged a sit in today demanding the immediate implementation of ILPS in Manipur.

The vendors also observed a two-minute silence to show respect to Sapam Robinhood.

The protesters also pledged to carry on their stir if the Govt delays enforcement of ILPS in the State.

YPF Club, YUC and Yaingangpokpi Lamjing Nupi Lup strongly demanding the immediate implementation of ILPS in the State offered homage to Robinhood.

The joint organisations of Yairipok area also staged a sit in today.

The protesters also observed a two-minute silence to show respect to Robinhood, killed in police action against protesters demanding ILPS.

Sit-ins were also staged at Gwaltabi, Seijang Lamlai bazar, Napet Palli, Chalou, Itam Nungoi, Sawombung Khunjao, Chingaren.

Sit-in protest was also staged at Khonghampat Mayai Leikai Achouba community hall.

The sit-in was organised by Khonghampat Apunba Meira Paibi Lup in collaboration with local clubs.

The protesters also formed a human chain along the Imphal-Dimapur highway at Khonghampat area and shouted slogans demanding protection of indigenous people of the State.

At Hiyangthang bazar, the Kamakhya Social Youth Club and Hiyangthang Apunba Meira Paibi jointly organised a sit-in.

The protesters also raised slogans demanding implementation of ILPS in the State.

They also pledged to endorse and support any steps taken by the JCILPS in its endeavour to protect the indigenous people.

Torch rallies were also held at different parts of the State tonight.

After staging a sit-in-protest at Chingmeirong till 4 pm today, local Meira Paibis took out a protest rally till Chingmeirong Khongnang Ani Karak.

They shouted slogans like "Enforce ILPS in Manipur", "Punish police personnel involved in killing student", "Long live Manipur" etc.

Meira Paibis of Mantripukhri formed a long human chain and blocked one side of Imphal-Dimapur highway.

Similar protest demonstration and human chains were also seen at Kontha Khabam Maning Leikai.

Effigies of Chief Minister O Ibobi were also burnt at different protest sites.

Many of the protesters decried that all the 57 sitting MLAs are good for nothing and they should resign voluntarily rather than clinging to their seats.

Although Government offices remained opened today, no public transport systems operated thereby severely affecting normal life in Manipur valley.

Along Indo-Burma-Sugnu road protest demonstrations were staged at Babupara, Singjamei Mathak Thokchom Leikai, Singjamei Mathak Ngakrabam Leirak, Singjamei Mathak Chongtham Leikai, Singjamei Keithel, Singjamei Chingamathak, Yumnam Leikai, Singjamei parking, Singjamei Mayengbam Leikai, Singjamei Thongam Leikai, Singjamei Oinam Thingel, Singjamei Beni Leirak, Singjamei Okram Leikai, Kakwa Lamdaibung, Kakwa Keithel etc.

Yaiskul Police Lane, Thumbuthong, Keishamthong Kabui Khul, Palace Compound, Singjamei Makha Sorokhaibam Leikai, Singjamei Makha Liwa Pukhri Achouba Mapal, Singjamei Makha Ahongshangbam Leikai, Singjamei Chingamakha (Model Club), Keishamthong Top Leirak Maning, Wahengbam Leikai, Kangabam Leikai, Nagamapal Chungkham Leirak, Soram Leirak, Kangjabi, Thangmeiband Thingel, Heirangoithong Keithel, Heirangoithong Makha Awang Maibam Leikai, Haobam Marak Keisam Leikai, Khagempalli, Nganappi Thong, Keishampat Leimajam Leikai, Sega Road Konjeng Hazari Leikai, Kwakeithel Heinou Khongnembi, Thokchom Leikai and Kwakeithel Lourembam Maning Leikai were other places where similar protest demonstrations were staged.

The list further extends to Keishamthong Keithel, Haobam Marak Oinam Leikai, Haobam Marak Lourembam Leikai, Sagolband Yengkhom Leirak, Sagolband Tera Bazar, Sagolband Tera Khuraijam Leirak, Sagolband Lukram Leirak, Sagolband Tera Tongbram Leirak, Khamnam Leirak, Ramji Kabui Khul, Chingmeirong Maning Leikai, Lamlong Keithel, Thongju Koirou Chingkhei Lambel, Pheidinga, Patsoi Part III, Moidangpok, Top Khongnangkhong, Khumbong Keithel.

A large group of protesters blocked Khuman Lampak Main Stadium Road and they demanded enforcement of ILPS and punishment of police personnel involved in killing an unarmed student.

Lengthy human chains were also seen at RIMS Road, Moirangkhom, Yumnam Leikai, Wahengbam Leikai, Kangabam Leikai, Keishamthong, Elangbam Leikai, Sega Road, Khonghampat and Sagolband.

Elsewhere, protest demonstrations were also held at North AOC by Manipur Inter-State Taxi Service Workers Association, Sagolband Meino Leirak under Meino Leirak Apunba Lup, Keishampat Mutum Leikai, Keishampat Thokchom Leikai, Changangei, Sega Road Moirangthem Leikai, Soibam Leikai, Wangkhei Khunou, Tronglaobi Bazar, Uchol Phura Makhong, Andro, Khurai Ningthoubung Leikai, Takhellambam Konjin, New Model Academy College gate, Moirang Bazar, Heirok Keithel, Yairipok Keithel and Yairipok Tampha Keithel.

Students of KM Blooming Higher Secondary School, New Public Higher Secondary School, Chaoyaima Higher Secondary School and Khangabok High School staged human chain protest along Imphal-Moreh National Highway today in support of JCILPS.