16 injured in clash with cops
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 16 2015: At least 16 persons including a police personnel were injured as protesters clashed with cops late last night in different parts of the State .

Meira Paibis of different localities in and around Imphal city organized torch rallies yesterday in the course of which stiff confrontations and pitched battles broke out when police tried to stop womenfolk from taking out rallies.

Tourangbam Jiten (26) s/o I Ibomcha of Takyel Kolom Leikai, Ingudam Nungshitombi (43) w/o I Manoj of Sagolband Ingudam Leirak, Tourangbam Tombi (45) w/o T Arunbabu of Meetei Langol Warok Leikai, Gangmeichung Gangmei (45) s/o (L) Kala Gangmei of Ramji Kabui Khul, Laimayum Luxmi (36) of Nagamapal Kangjabi Leirak, Khuraijam Gunishwor (40) s/o K Bimol of Tera Sapam Leirak, Leishangthem Sachikumar (40) s/o Manihar of Sagolband Tera Sapam Leirak, Nongthombam Bungobi (30) s/o N Ranakeshwor of Tera Sapam Leirak, Kongbrailatpam Karuna (32) w/o K Momo of Sagolband Tera Amudon, O Liklaileima (49) of Takyel Kolom Leikai, Hijam Suresh (38) s/o I Ibocha of Takyel Kolom Leikai, Pheiroijam Rockey (20) s/o P Roben of Sagolband Tera Loukham Leirak, Keisham Ratan (35) s/o K Khomdon of Uripok Yambem Leikai, Kenedy, Konjengbam Lokendro (37) s/o K Homendro of Sagolband Tera Bazaar and the police person Sougrakpam Somendro (33) s/o S Ibotombi of Mongsangei were injured in the clashes.

A torch rally being held in Imphal demanding implementation of ILPS in Manipur

Reports stated that they received injuries in their legs, hands and heads.

Konjengbam Lokendro is still undergoing treatment at a hospital and has been shifted to a ward after his condition worsened.

The remaining 15 are reported to have left hospitals after receiving medical treatments.

A large number of rallyists mostly womenfolk marched towards Keishampat junction on Tiddim road from Kwakeithel side.

When they reached Keishampat Thiyam Leikai area, they were stopped by police.

Within a few minutes, the number of rallyists was increasing as people kept on coming out on the road.

In the melee, a middle aged woman and a young woman suddenly collapsed in the middle of the road one after another as the crowd became too loud with shouting of slogans.

After some time, both the women showed signs of Maibi Changba (possessed by the spirit of local deity).

After a gap of a few minutes, another woman and man also showed the same signs.

Even as some people were trying to bring them to consciousness, some youths started pelting stones and firing slingshots projectiles at police.

Later, police fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the protestors.

On the other hand, countless number of torch bearing people also marched towards Jiri parking on Imphal-Jiribam road.

Even as police asked the protesters not to proceed further from Jiri parking area, some youths threw torches towards police.

To disperse this huge number of people, police fired several rounds of tear gas shells and live rounds in the air wherein some protesters were injured and taken to hospital for treatment in ambulance and police vehicles.

Confrontations between police and protestors continued till late night on the road.

Similar confrontations also took place between police and protestors at Uripok near Tourangbam Leikai.

After a long argument between police and womenfolk, who tried to proceed further towards Shamu Makhong, police fired tear gas shells to disperse them.

The protestors burned tyres and other objects on roads and continued to confront with police by pelting stones and firing slingshot projectiles till late night.

Police-protesters tussle also broke out at Keishamthong-Khagempali road, Singjamei, Moirangkhom, Yumnam Leikai, Thangemiband and Mayai Lambi.

Mass rallies were staged on different roads of Imphal East district as well.