Bandh hours confuse thousands Rumour mills tighten bandh temporarily at Patsoi
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 15 2015 : Police today fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse bandh supporters who came out in huge numbers defying curfew at different localities on NH-37 between Patsoi and Moidangpok.

Since early morning, the highway was blocked at different sections by burning tyres and placing tree bran- ches, bamboos, boulders etc.

Whereas it was reported, based on a press release issued by the JAC, that the 24 hours general strike would come into effect from May 15 midnight, the strike was imposed since early morning today thereby creating a lot of confusion and inconveniences to a vast section of people.

Meanwhile a press release issued by the JAC informed that they have struck an agreement with the Government after holding meeting twice at the level of the Chief Minister.

Subsequent upon the agreement, the JAC has cancelled the mass rally planned on May 17 whereas the Government has assured to frame charge-sheet against all the accused pulled up in connection with the murder of the two labourers and torture of Bishal as soon as possible.

All the shops, educational institutions and business establishments located along the stretch remained shut during the bandh imposed in protest against the killing of two labourers and thrashing of a 12-year-old boy by KRF cadres at Thingsat village near Mapao Khullen village.

At around 10.30 am, bandh supporters stopped a loaded mini truck, which was escorted by a police Gypsy towards Keithelmanbi, at Moidangpok.

Although the mob tried to overpower the police team, additional police commando team arrived at the place and rescued the mini truck.

However, the loaded vehicle was forced to return.

Soon after the vehicle took a u-turn, police had to fire several rounds of tear gas shells as a large number of bandh supporters came out on the highway to intensify their stir.

Scuffle between police and bandh supporters continued till late afternoon.

At Khumbong bazar as well, police fired tear gas shells on bandh supporters who blocked the highway by burning tyres and placing boulders and tree branches.

In the late afternoon, a rumour about the death of the minor boy, who is undergoing treatment at RIMS hospital, spread across at Patsoi Part-III area.

After hearing the wrong news, irate people in large number came out on the highway and started blocking the road.

However, the crowd was pacified by a police team led by Imphal West Additional SP (Operations) Th Bikramjit, who told them that the boy is still alive and his condition is stable.

The impact of the bandh could be seen at Takyel Kolom Leikai and Tera Bazar areas as well.

Large number of police personnel were deployed at different places on the highway since yesterday morning.

It may be mentioned that Imphal West district administration had imposed indefinite curfew on NH-37 from Keithelmanbi to Langjing from 11.30 am after the bandh clamped by the JAC constituted against Thingsat village incident turned violent.

Meanwhile, an ambulance vehicle belonging to Senapati District Hospital was damaged and driver manhandled at Koirengei by suspected bandh supporters at around 1.00 pm, reports The Hornbill Express.

The ambulance driver said that after dropping a patient at Imphal he was returning with a doctor who is on an emergency duty.

The ambulance heading towards Senapati was stopped by some bandh supporters at Koirengei, he said.

The driver further said that he was pulled out and physically assaulted while front and rear wind shields of the vehicle were damaged.

The doctor was forced to return Imphal, he added.

A press vehicle coming from Senapati was also forced to turn back by bandh supporters from Sekmai.

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