Five hurt in firing, CrPC 144 imposed
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 19 2011:
Firing from unknown sources following a tussle over whether or not MLA K Meghachandra should be allowed to inspect Singda Mayai Leirak under Yairipok Police Station has resulted in injuries including bullet injuries to five women this evening at about 4 .
In the aftermath of the incident, in irate mob have burnt down the kitchen of a family.
In view of the tense situation prevailing in the area, Section 144 of CrPC has been enforced in Yairipok and surrounding areas.
The victims who sustained bullet injuries have been identified as Dinojan (50) w/o late Abdul Jabar, Dino Bibi (35) w/o Tamirjur Rehman and Rahamatun Bibi (38) w/o Nijamuddin.
All three of them belong to Singda Mathak Leikai.
The women sustained injuries as bullets grazed their face and head and were treated at Public Hospital, Minuthong Hatta.
A 70 year old woman, Tomba Bibi w/o Sangaihaji of Singda Makha Leikai also sustained bullet injuries on the left arm and she was treated at RIMS.
Moreover, Rosijan Bibi (38) w/o Rahimuddin of Singda Mathak Leikai also sustained injuries as she was reportedly beaten with a cane by MLA Meghachandra's security escort.
She too was treated at Public Hospital.
According to information culled from the spot, a large number of women and men were staging a protest demonstration since morning under the aegis of Singda Apunba Lup against local MLA K Meghachandra's inspection visit to the water supply scheme currently under construction at Singda Mayai Leirak .
Notably, the people of the area had earlier announced their decision to boycott the local MLA.
The MLA arrived at the protest site together with his escort team at about 4 pm.
As the MLA tried to enter the complex of the water supply scheme, the local people blocked his way resulting in a scramble.
Moments later a few round of gun shots were heard.
The local people asserted that the shots were fired by MLA Meghachandra himself and his escort personnel even as the MLA contended that his escort team opened blank fire in self-defence after some of the protesters first opened fire.
As the situation became highly charged, Thoubal Police and Yairipok Police rushed to the scene and dispersed the infuriated crowd by firing tear gas shells and mock bombs.
In the meantime, another mob burnt down the kitchen of one MV Meinoruddin who donated land for the water supply scheme as well as the makeshift hut being used by labourers engaged in constructing the water supply scheme.
Clothes and other construction materials kept inside the hut were destroyed completely
by the fire.
Moreover, the kitchen of MV Meinoruddin was also destroyed beyond redemption.
However, with the arrival of Fire Brigade, Meinoruddin's house as saved from the raging fire.
In view of the situation, Thoubal district administration has enforced Section 144 of CrPC in the area.
Notably, some days back people of the area have announced through media about their decision to boycott MLA K Meghachandra and Wangkhem Gram Panchayat Pradhan Md Helim on the charge of
misappropriating development funds.
Singda Apunba Lup secretary Md Abbas, reacting to a claim by some people who claimed to be functionaries of Singda Development Committee that there was no question of boycotting the MLA, clarified that there was no such body as Singda Development Committee in the area.
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