Curfew relaxed from 5 am to 2 pm today ; Many brave curfew to rally, stage sit-in-protests
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 12 2015 : The District Magistrates of Imphal West and Imphal East have issued separate notifications relaxing curfew from 5 am till 2 pm tomorrow.

However restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC 1973 will continue to remain in force, said the notification.

Restrictions will apply to assembly of five or more persons which is likely to turn unlawful, said the notification and added that prohibion has also been placed on carrying of sticks, stones, fire arms and weapons and objects which can be used as weapons, added the notification.

On the other hand, protests continued with numerous civil society organisations braving the curfew, rubber bullets, mock bombs and the police personnel and took out rallies across the State to demand the implementation of Inner Line Permit System in the State on the fifth day today.

A police team which went to Heirangoithong area to disperse the womenfolk who were staging sit-in-protests was attacked by a group of irate youths by pelting stones and firing slingshot projectiles.

Police had a tough time in controlling the youth due to shortage of security personnel although they fired smoke bombs and mock bombs to disperse the protesters.

A rally being staged

However, additional police forces arrived at the area in three vehicles and brought the situation under control.

They also arrested five persons from the spot.

Demanding an implementation of Inner line Permit in the State, a large number of protesters today burnt tyres along National Highway-2 .

Thoubal police personnel fired several rounds of rubber bullet and tear gas shells to disperse the mob.

During the clash, one individual namely Khundrakpam Nelson (22), s/o Kh Babulin of Wangjing SK Leikai was detained by police personnel.

He was reportedly thrashed by police personnel before being released.

Injured Nelson was admitted at Wangjing public hospital for medical treatment.

Condemning the act of police personnel, protesters damaged metal barrels which were placed outside Wangjing police out post and hurled them through the gate.

Additional SP Madunimai and his team had to intervene in order to pacify the protesters.

On the other hand, a large number of protesters came out on to the street from Singjamei to Canchipur today as well.

They blocked Imphal-Moreh road by burning tyres and inflammable materials on the road at different areas.

Confrontation between police and protesters began at around 2 pm and continued till late evening at the stretch from Kakwa Naorem Leikai to Canchipur.

Imphal West Additional SP (Operations) Vikramjit was seen supervising the large police team at this area.

Pitched battles of slingshot firing and pelting of stones between police and protesters broke out at regular intervals.

Police managed to arrest a protester after a long chase at Kakwa bazar.

On Uripok-Kangchup road, police blocked a protest rally taken out by the locals of Iroisemba to Lamboikhongnangkhong at Naoremthong bazar.

Police later forced the rallyists to return to their respective localities.

However, the protesters blocked the road by burning tyres.

Members of Paragon Club and womenfolk also took out a protest rally along Ayangpalli road.

However, police blocked them before they reached Lamlong.

Extending support to the movement spearheaded by the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System, the Awang Leikinthabi Nupi Chaokhatlup staged a protest demonstration and took out a torch rally last evening to demand the enforcement of Inner Line Permit System in the State.

A silent rally was also held by various school students of Thoubal at Kairembikhok today.

Organised by Kairembikhok Students' Union and Club (KSUC), the rally was flagged off from Kairembikhok Mayai Leikai community hall.

The rally concluded at Kairembikhok Mayai Leikai waiting shed and was followed by a sit-in protest.

Students who took part in the rally were from Progressive English School, Lamding, KM Blooming Higher Secondary School, Khangabok, IRE, Wangjing, KM English School, Salungpham, Kairembikhok Primary School, Salungpham Higher Secondary School and New Public Higher Secondary School, Khangabok.

Shops in various places in the district remained closed.

Sit-in protests were also held at Thounaojam Yangdong, Elangpokpi, Kakching Khunou.

Protest rallies were also held in Sugnu, Tangjeng Khunou, Sekmaijing today evening.

Likewise, the Urup Arapti Meirai Paibi Joint Action Committee also took out a torch rally last evening to regulate the inflow of migrant workers into the State.

In a statement, the meira paibis said that the rally started from Lilong and added that a police team tried to disperse them near Lilong Thongkhong by firing mock bombs, tear gas shells and rubber bullets.

The police team retreated only after the arrival of a large number of people from the side of Lilong Chajing.

After the police withdrew, the rally proceeded peacefully, added the statement.

Meira paibis of Torbung Gram Panchayat area, Bishnupur district also held a rally condemning the killing of Sapam Robinhood and in demand of ILP in the State.

The rally started from Torbung Bazar and concluded at Torbung Phougakchao Ikhai Awang.

Sit-in protests were also staged in different places of Bishnupur district.

Tronglaobi Makha Leikai Women's Welfare Association and Tronglaobi Awang Leikai Nupi Lup staged a sit-in protest in Tronglaobi Bazar while Moirang Thamnapokpi Nupi Yaipha Lup held a sit-in protest Thamnapokpi Bazar.

On the other hand, sit-in protests continued unabated at different parts of the State while many others have condoled the demise of Sapam Robinhood.

The Co-ordination Committee, NH-37 in a statement said that though the people have outrightly rejected the Manipur Regulations of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers' Bill, the Government has unleashed its police force on the young students leading to the death of Sapam Robinhood.

No immediate steps were taken up to save the grievously wounded Robinhood, said the committee in a statement and added that it would extend all possible assistance to future course of action taken up to demand ILPS in the State.

Sit-in-protests were also held at Kwakeithel Laishram Leikai, Nongmeibung, Soibam Leikai, Porompat JNIMS Gate Number 3, Khurai Puthiba community hall, Porompat, Ayangpali road, Heirangoithong, Sagolband Salam Leikai and Tinsid road.

Womenfolk of Ima Panthoibi Street Vendors Union, Khuman Lampak along with Chingmeirong Yengkoiba Menjor Leikai staged a sit-in-protest demanding revocation of the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill 2015 .

Laipham Khunou Youth Development Association, Laipham Khunou Apunba Meira Paibi, Chingmeirong Rongmei Village and Laipham Khunou Nupi Lup also staged sit-in-protests.

Similar zprotests were also staged at Mantripukhri bazar, Soibam Leikai, Wangkhei Khunou Lamlong, Khurai Nandeibam Leikai, Salanthong, Khagempalli, Kwakeithel Laishram Leirak, Haobam Marak Irom Leikai, Haobam Marak Ngagom Leikai, Kyamgei Mayai Leikai.

Locals of Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai burnt the effigy of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi at Salanthong shouting slogans against the Government.

Meanwhile, officials of MSPDCL have started collecting the electric poles scattered along Imphal-Ukhrul road for prepaid power connections.

Sit-in protests were also held at Kongba Kshetri Leikai, Kongba Sapam Thongkhong, Sagolband Moirang Hanuba Community Hall, Porompat Thawanthaba Leikai, Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal, Ayangpalli Road, Kwakeithel Heinou Khongnembi Ibudhou Nongshaba, Naran Khunjin Mamang Leikai organised by Naran Khunjin Meira Paibi Lup and Pangei bazar.

Women Welfare Organisation, Kangleipak (WWOK), Jiri Masa Loisang has extended its co-operation in demanding the Inner Line Permit system in the State.

Stating that various sit-in protests were staged in Jiribam, WWOK, Jiri Masa Loisang said that it will support in form of agitation of JCILP until the State Government takes up step to implement the Inner Line Permit in the State.