Protest bid at Raj Bhavan, CM's bungalow foiled
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 10 2023:
A large number of people from Uripok Kangchup rose and tried to protest in front of Raj Bhavan and Chief Minister's bungalow this afternoon as one native from Uripok Achom Leikai was killed in Kadangband during Kuki militants' attack this morning.
Police however successfully averted their bid and later allowed some leaders among the crowd to meet CM N Biren.
Tension was running high and people of Uripok Kangchup road came out on the street from yesterday night till this afternoon after well armed Kuki militants attacked civilians at Singda Dam and Kadangband area.
With reports of attacks on villagers at Kadangband, Phayeng Singda and Koutruk using sophisticated weapons continued to pour in, the people of Uripok Kangchup road also blocked the road at different points.
One Village Volunteer, Saikhom Shubol from Uripok Achom Leikai, was killed during an attack at Kadangband this morning.
Womenfolk in large numbers along the Uripok Kangchup road came out to pay floral tribute as his body was evacuated and brought to RIMS morgue.
Angered over the dead of Saikhom Shubol, large number of people came out on the street and intensified the agitation by closing at the shops and other business establishments along the Uripok Kangchup road, Wahengbam Leikai and Khoyathong road and proceeded toward the Chief Minister's bungalow decrying the failure of the State government to protect civilians from armed Kuki militants.
The angry locals were blocked before reaching Ma-harani bridge by a large number of Imphal West district police personnel.
Heated argument broke out between police personnel and angry protestors demanding to proceed further.
The situation led to closure of Ima Keithels and adjacent markets.
After some time, some select persons from among the angry protestors were taken by SP Imphal West to hold a talk with Chief Minister N Biren at CM Secretariat.
Considering the situation and taking note of the intermittent firing in peripheral areas, security has been beefed up in Imphal and a large number of Central security forces and State police have been deployed in all the important junctions of Imphal City to prevent any kind of unwanted incident in the evening.