Imphal, August 11: Police today rained down tear gas shells on angry protestors demonstrating in front of Ghambir Singh Shopping Arcade here demanding lifting of Armed Forces Special Powers Act and punishment of AR personnel involved in the killing of Thangjam Manorama.

The protestors, most of whom are shopkeepers staged the sit-in-protest after taking out a rally in the Kwairamband Bazar area.

As they were holding the demonstration with shouting of anti-AFSPA and anti-security personnel slogans, police personnel resorted to firing several rounds of tear gas canisters to disperse them.

The incident occurred at around 11.30 am.

Another demonstrator was also held at Paona bazar by the traders and shopkeepers today.

Police fired tear gas shells to disperse the demonstrators, who undauntedly gathered once more and continue their agitation.

A mass sit-in-protest demonstration was also held in front of Assam Oil Division Office at Chingmeirong.

The demonstra- tion was organised under the aegis of All Manipur Petroleum Tankers Drivers� Union continued till 2 pm.

The demonstrators also released balloons with demand for lifting AFSPA written on pieces of papers pasted on them in the air.

Talking to mediapersons at the occasion, Union president Y Bhupenchandra Ghosh exuded confidence to the ongoing Judicial Enquiry Commission in dispensing justice to Manorama who was killed in the custody of 17 Assam Rifles.

He also informed that transport of petroleum pro-ducts and selling of oil at the fuel pumps have been cea-sed from today to intensify the ongoing public movement.

Members of Sapam Leirak Apunba Lup; Sapam Leirak Choakhat Khong-thang Lup, Sapam Leirak; Nongmaithem Leikai Women�s Association and Leimakon Unit Tera today also organised a mass sit-in-protest demonstration at Sapam Leirak LP School ground.

Later the demonstrators took out a rally and submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh through local MLA M Nabadwip demanding withdrawal of AFSPA from Manipur immediately and punishment guilty AR personnel.

Students and staff of Sangai Higher Secondary School, Mantripukhri have also started silent protest in condemnation of brutal killing of Manorama and Jamkholet Khongsai by wearing black badges from yesterday.

The protest demonstration would continue upto August 15.Earlier, the school took part in a protest rally and staged sit-in-protest on August 4.At Nambol bazar also, around 300 people , including men and women, staged a similar demonstration demanding revocation of AFSPA from Manipur and punishment of guilty AR personnel.

All the shops in the bazar were also closed during the demonstration.

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