Unannounced bandhs block road traffic
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 17 2015: Even as unannounced bandhs left many stranded at different localities today as well, two vehicles have been damaged by bandh supporters.

Although, most areas of Imphal East district were relatively calm throughout the day, imposition of bandh at different places along NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam road) in Imphal West district began from around 11 am.

A large police team was seen deployed at Jiri parking area to thwart untoward incidents.

People also blocked Wahengbam Leikai road by burning tyres.

Uripok-Kangchup road was also blocked at different localities between Samushang and BT Flyover (Uripok) using electric poles, tree branches, bamboos, boulders and burning tyres from around 12 noon.

Pro-ILPS activists blocking Uripo-Kangchup road

A large police team was deployed at Uripok Tourang-bam Leikai area to prevent protesters marching towards Shamu Makhong.

Till 4 pm, womenfolk in huge numbers staged human chain and blocked Uripok-Kangchup road.

Youths in large numbers also came out on the road and pelted stones and fired slingshot projectiles at police.

Police retaliated the protesters using slingshots for more than an hour near BT flyover.

However, they later not only fired several rounds of tear gas shell but also arrested a protester at Sorbon Thingel area.

However, womenfolk managed to snatch the youth from police.

Later, womenfolk requested the police to stop firing tear gas shells and mock bombs saying that they would control the agitating youth.

Although, womenfolk asked the youth to stop firing slingshot projectiles, they kept on attacking police from different places.

Police later pushed them back up to Uripok Canteen area by firing tear gas shells and mock bombs.

They also managed to arrest a protester from Uripok Ningthou-khongjam Leikai.

Although, womenfolk requested police to release the protester, they detained him inside a police gypsy.

One Tata truck coming from Naoremthong side was partly damaged by protestors by pelting stone near Ibotonsana Higher Secondary School.

The situation was still tense at Uripok at the time of filing this report.

Volunteers of Khulem Leikai Youth Club and meira paibees blocked the road that connects Naoremthong and Lamphelpat.

As a result, offices of IFCD, Fishery Department, Registrar of Co-operative, DIC, Education (S), Imphal West DC office, SCERT, Employment Exchange, Institute of Co-operative Management, MSPDCL and PHED etc located at Lamphelpat etc were closed.

A club executive said that the bandh was imposed on the road, also known as Laishram Leirak, to block Government employees who came to various offices located at Lamphelpat.

The road between Khoyathong and Manipur Legislative Assembly complex was also blocked at different areas.

At Singjamei bazar, police mollified a group of women who tried to block road and restored normal traffic movement in the evening.

Similar protests were also witnessed between Sangaiprou and Kwakeithel on Tiddim road in the evening.

Bandh supporters chased a Hyundai Eon car (AS-05E/0925) and damaged it at Khurai Thoidingjam Leikai this afternoon.

Two occupants of the car, who ran away leaving the car, took shelter in a nearby house.

They were later rescued by a police team.

Meanwhile, a man who suffered minor injury after hitting a barricade erected by bandh supporters tonight on condition of anonymity requested the public not impose unannounced bandhs.

The man, who came at the office of The Sangai Express after the mishap, said that he could not see the barricade kept on the dark road.

Imphal-Ukhrul road was blocked at Yourbung, Sawombung Kabui, Sawombung gate, Kangla Lamkhai, Khabeisoi, Khurai Chaithabi Leirak and Khurai Laikhurembi etc.

Bandh supporters broke a Maruti car was damaged at Khabeisoi.