Imphal, July 08: Despite Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mr ID Swami's assurance, the people of Manipur today continued their sit-in-protest and rallies against the extension of Centre-NSCN (IM) ceasefire to the state throughout the four valley districts.

A mass all-community rally was taken out at the Nambol municipal area in Bishnupur district.

Around 20,000 people both men and women took part in the rally jointly organized by the Nambol Sabal Leikai Club and Nambol Meira Paibi Lup.

As the rallyists shouting anti-ceasefire slogans approached the Nambol police station, the SP of Bishnupur district, Chandrasekhar and his police personal tried to stop the procession.

Unable to control the surging crowd, the police had to finally lob teargas shells and lathi charge on the demonstrators to disperse them.

In the ensuing melee at least 60 persons sustained injuries.

Most of them were admitted at the Nambol Community Health Centre while seventeen of them whose conditions arc serious have been referred to the RIMS and the JN hospital here.

Later the demonstration held a public meeting atop Lainingthou Khoriphaba hillock.

The meeting presided over by Maipak Kamei resolved to launch a series of agitations till the centre withdrew the truce.

Advisor of AMUCO, Thounaojam Iboyaima and AMKIL's Yumlembam Memma also took part in the meeting.

In another incident, about 30,000 people of Pallel and Kakching area of Thoubal district took out a rally and paid floral tributers at the Khongjom war memorial with vows to safeguard the territorial integrity of the state.

The demonstrators also observed two minute silence as a mark of respect to the 15 people who have sacrificed their life in the ongoing agitation.

On the other hand, peaceful sit-in-protect dharnas were staged by men and women at various places of Imphal East, West and Bishnupur during curfew relaxation hours.

In North AOC area, about 300 women of different communities residing in the area staged a sit-in-protest demonstration.

In Khongnang Anikarak and in front of LMS Law College many women came out to take part in sit-in-protest dharnas.

While in Keishamthong Keithel Macha, about 1000 members of Manipur Sumang Lila Association carried out a sit-in-protest demanding withdrawal of ceasefire from Manipur.

Sit-in-protests were also carried out at Games Village, Lamphelpat, Oinam Thingel, Waikhom Leikai.

Thongam Leikai, Okram Chuthek and at Kakwa bazar, and also at Kwasiphai district in Bishnupur.

Meanwhile, our Jiri correspondent reports that a mass sit-in-protest dharna was organized at Jiribam Lamlong Keithel from 7 am to 6 pm today.

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