57 injured, houses vandalised, police action condemned
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 21 2023: Around 57 people including 10 security personnel of both state and central forces were hurt as intense confrontations broke out at several places during 'mass arrest' agitation for unconditional release of five village volunteers arrested by police.

While police used tear gas, rubber bullets, stun grenades and even live rounds to disperse the agitators who tried to storm police stations, protestors responded with stone pelting and sling shots thereby resulting in intense confrontations between the two sides at several places particularly nearby police stations.

The fiercest confrontation occurred at Irilbung police station in Imphal East district wherein 10 security personnel got hurt.

Among the injured, two each belong to SSB and BSF, five constables of Irilbung PS and one police officer of the station.

When large number of protestors marched towards Irilbung police station and asked police to arrest them, security forces fired tear gas shells and even used live rounds to disperse the protestors.Altogether 32 protestors were hurt in the police action with 28 of them rushed to JNIMS hospital for treatment.

Three injured protestors were rushed to Raj Medicity and one admitted at Advanced Hospital.

However, 22 out of 28 injured protestors rushed to JNIMS have been discharged byevening.

The protestor rushed to Advanced Hospital too had been discharged.

During the 'mass arrest' stir at Singjamei police station, 13 protestors got hurt in the crackdown with 10 of them rushed to RIMS hospital and three to Raj Medicity.

Of the 10 admitted at RIMS, three of them suffered barrel gun shots fired by RAF personnel while one Lourembam Opendro (41) of Liwa Oinam Leikai got injured in severe thrashing by RAF personnel.

Those who suffered pellet injuries are identified as Laitonjam Bulu (29) of Kakwa Nameirakpam Leikai, Ningombam Momo (37) of Bashikhong and Moirangthem Sirvas (23) of Kakwa Naorem Leikai.

Among the three protestors admitted at Raj Medicity, one identified as Yendrembam Angamba (27) of Haoreibi Mayai Leikai suffered pellet wounds.

During the 'mass arrest' stir at Kwakeithel police out post, a woman named Salam Tondon of Kwakeithel Mayai Koibi got injured in tear gas shelling and was admitted at RIMS hospital.

In another 'mass arrest' at Heingang police station, a woman named N Inaobi of Heingang Mayai Leikai got injured in tear gas shelling and was rushed to Heingang PHC but discharged later in the evening.

Meanwhile, amid the mass court arrest agitation, unknown miscreants caused damage and tried to set ablaze the houses of officers-in-charge of Singjamei police station and Imphal police station on Thursday.

However, the houses were saved by the locals.

According to source, some persons in two four-wheelers tried to set ablaze the house of Imphal police station OC L Ingocha located near MU second gate Canchipur.

The miscreants forced open the gate and began burning the makeshift workshed storing woods.

After seeing the miscreants breaking the windows and burning the door of the house, locals stopped them from further destruction.

The miscreants then fled from the area.

The locals doused the fire and saved the house from further loss.

Meanwhile, some unidentified persons came to the residence of Singjamei police station OC inspector Sanathoi at Singjamei Thongam Leikai and started damaging his house.

The locals saved the house as the miscreants started destroying items in the kitchen and doors and windows.

On the other-hand, Langthabal Kendra Clubs' Coordinating Committee.

Langthabal Kendra Meira Paibi Coordinating Committee, All Kongba Road United Clubs' Organisation, Kuraomakhong United Club, Sagolband Apunba Lup and Naharol Yaiphakol condemned Manipur Police for its high handedness against protestors during the mass court arrest protest.

Addressing a press meet at Heirangoithong Maibam Leikai community hall on Thursday, a spokesperson of the bodies termed firing of tear gas shells, smoke bombs and pepper sprayers by police and RAF personnel against women as unfortunate.

While asserting that everyone knows the reason for innocent people becoming village volunteers, the spokesperson held misgovemance by the present regime as root cause of the present volatile situation in the state.

If Manipur Police had adopted similar tough posture against the Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists it would have been much appreciated, the spokesperson said, while thanking the public for voluntarily joining the protest.

The spokesperson also warned that it will continue its protests until their demand is honoured.

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