Injured protester's right eye removed
Locals believe, youth was hit by bullet fired by police
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 07 2009: A 20 year-old youth identified as Naorem Prakash, son of Naorem Thoiba of Langthabal Kunja Mayai Leikai, has become one eye blind due to injuries he suffered allegedly from police excesses.

Prakash sustained severe injury on his right eye forcing it out and making it hang precariously during police action to disperse a large number of protesters who came out to the street defying curfew last night around 10 O'clock at Langthabal Kunja market under Singjamei Police Station in Imphal West district.

Prakash was reportedly taken to RIMS hospital by a team of Manipur police commandos and told the doctors at the hospital that he was hit by tear gas shell.

Right eye blinded Prakash at JN Hospital

As there is no facility for CT scan at RIMS hospital, he was referred to Shija Hospitals.

Then the staff of the Shija Hospitals said that there was no neurology doctor and again referred him to JN Hospital, Porompat.

Then it was found that the CT scan of JN Hospital has been out of order for the last three years.

So Prakash was taken to Babina Diagnostic Centre for getting CT scan examination.

Residents of the locality told newspersons that last night a large number of people went out to the street to defy the curfew and burned used tyres on the road.

Meanwhile, police came and fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets.

The crowd got dispersed and everyone ran helter-skelter to save themselves.

Prakash failed to return home even after the police had left.

When family members enquired with the Singjamei police, they were told that two persons were arrested.

Then the family waited till the sun-rise.

One person from the same locality, employed at RIMS hospital reportedly informed the family early morning today that Prakash was being treated at the hospital.

When the family members rushed to the hospital, they found Prakash lying with his right eye outside and completely smashed.

Local residents searched the spot at Langthabal Kunja market and allegedly found one empty case of AK-47 bullet and also some pieces of flesh.

The local residents further said, it is suspected that Prakash was deliberately shot at and injured.

Doctors attending on Prakash at JN Hospital told the family that his right eye can't be saved and needed to be operated on.

Later it is learnt that his right eye has been operated on and removed.

On the other hand, local residents of Langthabal Kunja Mayai Leikai today held a meeting and formed a JAC Against the Shooting of Naorem Prakash of Langthabal Kunja.

The meeting decided to launch agitations on the ground that Prakash's injury was the responsibility of the government and those involved in the action that caused the youth's injury must be identified and punished accordingly.

In the meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police, Imphal West district, L Kailun in a press note today denied the reports published in some newspapers which alleged that Prakash was hit by a bullet and an empty case of AK rifle bullet has been recovered from the spot.

The Senior SP clarified that a team of police under OC, Singjamei Police Station rushed to disperse the mob/curfew violators at Kyamgei and Langthabal Kunja around 9 pm yesterday.

The mob comprised around 100/200 people.

The police team warned them to disperse but instead of dispersing, the mob started pelting stones and shooting from catapults.

The police team initially used canes to disperse them, but later used anti-riot equipments.

After the mob was dispersed, one person was found lying on the roadside ground near a Koubilya tree on the western side of the NH-39 at Langthabal Kunja.

The injured person was taken to RIMS hospital for treatment by the police team and informed his family members.

Later, the injured person was shifted to JN Hospital.

Singjamei police have registered a case and are investigating it, Sr SP Kailun stated and added that while dispersing the mob the police team did not use any fire-arms namely, AK assult rifles, etc.

as alleged.