29 women hurt in AR crackdown
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal, June 20 2023:
At least 29 women were hurt in Assam Rifles' action to disperse a crowd at Lilong in the wee hours today.
While the injured women were treated at District Hospital Thoubal, one of them identified as Th Pakpi (43) of Thoubal Kiyam was referred to RIMS as her injury was serious, said sources.
The incident happened after news of four village volunteers being "detained" by the 33 Assam Rifles stationed near Lilong police station spread and womenfolk stormed the gate of the AR for releasing the volunteers.
Sources said the Assam Rifles handed over the four to Lilong Police and they have been released after they were produced before the Duty Magistrate Thoubal.
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Womenfolk, who were on vigil at night, stormed the gate of the Assam Rifles at around 3 am.
To disperse the crowd, AR personnel resorted to beating the womenfolk using sticks and gun's butt injuring at least 29 .
In the meantime, a large crowd of people from Lilong Arapati and Chajing also stormed the Lilong police station.
Meanwhile, a sit-in protest was staged at Thoubal Babu Bazar condemning the AR.
The protesters demanded immediate removal of the 33 AR (C Coy) and the Assam Rifles from Manipur.
The protest was organised by the Meitei Community Joint Coordination Committee, Waithou to Kiyam Siphai, Haokha Thoubal Khunou.
Talking about the incident, one of the women protesters said they strongly condemn the use of excessive force against the Meira Paibis in the strongest terms.
They had gone to the AR to secure release of four village volunteers detained there.
However, they were beaten by the AR personnel, she said.
She also condemned the Government of India for ignoring the crisis in Manipur and allowing the violence to continue.