Many held for firing, two hurt in stand-off KRA chief and hubby of new MLA among held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal/Kpi, March 14 2022: Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) chief David Hangshing and two cadres of the outfit were arrested by police yesterday afternoon for opening several rounds of fire in the air on March 10 night in celebration of Kuki People's Alliance (KPA) candidate Kimneo Hangshing's victory in the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly election.

Notably, David Hangshing is MLA Kimneo Hangshing's husband.

After an FIR was lodged at Saikul police station in connection with firing at Lhungtin village near T Gamnom designated camp on March 10 night, a combined team of police and 22 Assam Rifles posted at Saikul arrested David Hangshing and two other cadres of KRA.

They were produced before the Court of CJM Kangpokpi today along with a prayer for four days police remand for further investigation.

The Court after perusing the case record and hearing the submission of the IO remanded them to four days police custody till March 17 .

David Hangshing is presently out on bail in connection with a case investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) regarding the arms missing case from 2nd Manipur Rifles Arms Kote.

He was released in April 2019 by the Special Court, NIA Manipur on PR bond of Rs 10 lakh with surety of same amount.

The NIA had also submitted charge-sheet in connection with the case against 13 accused persons including KRA chief David Hangshing , Ex-MLA (Saikul) Yamthong Haokip and UKLF chairman Lhunkhoson Haokip.

Meanwhile, a tense stand-off ensued when a large number of MLA elect Sheikh Noorul Hassan's supporters tried to storm Porompat police station after 11 workers of the politician were arrested by police for opening fire in celebration of the election result and it resulted in injuries to two women including one police personnel.

A police team picked up 11 workers of Sheikh Noorul Hassan from his Kshetri Awang Leikai residence this morning for opening fire on March 10 .

However, it resulted in a tense stand-off between police and supporters of the MLA at Porompat DC Road at around 12.30 pm.

Maintaining that the 11 political workers were arrested without giving any reason, a large number of Noorul Hassan's supporters demanded unconditional release of the arrested individuals.

Some police officers led by Imphal East Additional SP Arambam Pramesh talked with the protesters but the two sides could not come to any understanding.

As the face-off intensified, police drove away the protesters by firing tear gas shells.

The protesters retaliated by pelting stones.

Two women including a police personnel sustained injuries in the stand-off.

Some other protesters were also detained by police.

Later, a sit-in-protest was staged at the gate of Sheikh Noorul Hassan's residence demanding unconditional release of the arrested individuals and also suspension of the Imphal East SP.

Briefing media persons later this afternoon, Imphal East SP M Pradip said that on March 11 at around 10 pm, workers of NPP took out an election victory procession at Khergao Sabal Leikai and allegedly brandished guns and deadly weapons in the said area after which a violent confrontation took place between workers of NPP and BJP causing injuries and destruction of properties in the area.

District police acted swiftly and rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control and registered two FIRs based on the complaints of both the parties.

The next day, district police and a commando team carried out search operation at Khergao Sabal Leikai and Kshetrigao area.

On the basis of the video clip which went viral regarding the incident, the combined team conducted another search operation at Kshetrigao area today morning.

The combined team eventually arrested five BJP workers and 11 NPP workers from different locations and brought them to Porompat police station for further investigation at around 11 am today.

However at around 1 pm, a huge mob gathered at Porompat police station in protest against the arrest and the mob became unruly and violent even as the police personnel deployed at the main gate made all efforts to calm down the situation.

To bring the situation under control, police were forced to fire tear gas shells and mock bombs.

But one woman Head Constable identified as Kangujam Promila sustained injury on her head and some vehicles parked inside Porompat police station complex were also damaged by the unruly mob, the SP said.

Police arrested 19 persons including 13 for creating unruly mob and attacking police personnel on duty by registering an FIR case against them, he added.

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