Bid to 'reclaim' arms ends in tragedy, one dead, 24 hurt
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 04 2023: Amid relentless attacks by Kuki militants on Meitei villages' and appeals by Chief Minister N Biren to the people not to indulge in violence as peace is being restored, a huge crowd thronged 3 IRB headquarters at Khangabok in Thoubal district from two sides on Tuesday, demanding to hand them back the firearms and ammunition recovered during an operation.

As security forces fired sever al rounds to disperse/control the mob, one person was shot dead, while 24 others including an Assam Rifles trooper suffered injuries.

The enraged crowd then set fire to a vehicle of Assam Rifles at Khangabok Bazar and also a house belonging to 3 IRB Battalion rifleman, who allegedly opened fire at the mob.

The incident occurred around 11.30 am Tuesday, when the mob thronged the Battalion HQs demanding security forces to return the guns and ammunition, which were recovered by police during search operations conducted in the recent days, and allow the people to defend their villages.

On receiving news of the incident, additional teams of Thoubal district police arrived at the scene and tried to take the crowd under control.

While attempts were being made to talk with some of the protestors, the crowd suddenly surged, prompting the police to fire tear gas shells and blank fires to disperse the crowd.

As combined teams of police, BSF and IRB fired tear gas shells and several rounds to control the crowd thronging from two directions, one person was killed and 24 people including the AR trooper sustained injuries.

The deceased has been identified as Abujam Ronaldo (27) s/o (L) Ibungo of Heirok Part-3 Kabo Leikai.

He was struck by a bullet on his head and immediately taken to District Hospital Thoubal, before succumbing to injuries en-route to a hospital in Imphal.

Meanwhile, the injured people have been identified as Khundrak-pam Raj (15) s/o Shyam of Khangabok Khunou Part-3, Ningthoujam Naresh Kanta (16) s/o Basanta of Khangabok Lamdong Makha Leikai, Okram Malemnganba (17) s/o Biken of Thoubal Ningongbam, Khun-drakpam Naresh (21) s/o Budha of Khangabok Khulakpam Leikai, Laishram Johnson (22) s/o Suranjoy of Charangpat Mayai Leikai, Na hakpam Naoton (25) s/o Nongbal of Charangpat Maning Leikai, Thok-chom Narendra (25) s/o Ningth-em of Heirok Bazar, Moirangthem Thoibi (25) w/o Sudhir Khangabok Part-1, Laishram Sanjoy (26) s/o Bijen of Khangabok Moirang Palli, Ningthoujam Dony (26) s/o Go-bin of Heirok Part-2, Moirangthen Nabakumar (30) s/o Achouba of Khangabok Makha Leikai, Oinam Jeena (34) w/o Bhupen of Thoubal Athokpam Khunou, Elangbam Meenakumari (36) w/o Premjit of Khangabok Part-3, Ningthoujam David (36) s/o Devananda of Khangabok Bazar, Sushil (40) of Khangabok, Khundrakpam Abe (40) w/o Inao of Khangabok Meis-nam Leikai, Ningthoujam Basanti (40) w/o Shyamkumar of Khangabok Khullakpam Leikai, Saik-hom Dhaneshori (40) w/o Jiten of Khangabok Part-3, Nameirakpam Nandajit (40) s/o Tomba of Luker Maning Leikai, L Nungsitombi (40) w/o Romen of Khangabok Awang Leikai, Leimapokpam Lukhoi (45) of Wangbal Mayai Leikai, Laishram Thoi Devi (55) w/o Ningthemba of Khangabok Part-3, Kh Deepak s/o Ibobi of Khangabok Khullakpam Leikai, and 33 AR trooper Ram Day-al.

All of the injured were taken to Thoubal District Hospital for treatment, of which six including the AR man were referred to Imphal due to serious injuries.

The agitated mob then blocked various sections of the National Highway-102 in Thoubal District.

The mob then went on to set fire to the house of 3 IRB rifleman, who is accused of firing rounds at the crowd, and also a vehicle of 33 Assam Rifles at Khangabok Bazar.

As the agitation intensified, additional forces of Rapid Action Force (RAF) arrived at the scene to control the situation.

The curfew in Thoubal district, which was previously relaxedfrom 5am to 8pm, was cut short to 2.30 pm Tuesday, while the curfew hours on Wednesday will be relaxed to 5am to 12pm. With regard to the incident, one of the protestors stated that the crowd congregated at the Battalion, peacefully demanding to provide them some guns and ammunition to defend against the Kuki militants who have attacking the Meitei villages in peripheral areas recently.

While talks were underway, the crowd was suddenly attacked with tear gas shells and several rounds.

Questioning if CM Biren wants to completely annihilate the Meitei, the protestor said that the prevailing situation is not a joke and prolonging the same would .only escalate the tension.

Even the CM's residence will no longer be safe by then.

If the additional forces and RAFs deployed during Tuesday's incident, had been deployed at the location where CM Biren visited on Monday, the protests on Tuesday would have never happened, the protestor remarked.

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