Imphal, July 24: In continuation of the protest demonstration against brutal killing of Thangjam Manorama by personnel of 17 Assam Rifles, United Committee Manipur (UCM) Lamlai Unit today organised a cycle rally from Yaingangpokpi till Khurai Lamlong Bazar.

Around 700 protesters took part in the cycle rally which was flagged off from 7 am.

They carried banners and festoons with slogans demanding punishment of guilty AR personnel and removal of Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958 written on them.

As the protesters reached Lamlong Bazar, security personnel who were already deployed there fired tear gas shells to disperse them.

Angry protesters retaliated with stones and catapult resulting in firing of more tear gas shells and rubber bullets by the security personnel before the situation was brought under control.

The confrontation lasted for almost half an hour.

Though the angry protesters retreated under pressure, they burnt the effigies of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, former Chief Minister RK Dorendro, Lamlai Kendra MLA Ph Parijat, GOC of Assam Rifles and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Prakash Jaiswal near Lamlai Police Station at around 4 pm.

On the other hand, AMSU Singjamei Branch in association with 23 other organisations staged a mass sit-in-protest demonstration at Singjamei Bus Parking.

Undeterred by police action, the protesters also burnt effigies of Chief Minister, Prime Minister and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs amidst shouting of slogans demanding revocation of Armed Force Special Power Act and punishment of guilty AR personnel involved in the killing of Manorama.

Around 300 people also took part in a protest demonstration in front of the office of the Hindi Parishad at Paona Bazar this morning.

The demonstration was organised by All Manipur Democratic Women�s Association in association with Paona Bazar Women�s Welfare Organisation, Governor Road Women�s Welfare Organisation and Kakhulong Mathenmi and Women�s Society.

People Welfare Forum, Thoubal District in assn with various other local clubs and Meira Paibis Lups also organised a mass sit-in-protest at Wangjing Bazar today.

Around 300 persons took part in the demonstration held from 11 am to 4 pm.

The protesters also shouted slogans denouncing the excesses being committed by security personnel on innocent people of the State in the name of counter-insurgency operation and demanded lifting of Armed Forces Special Power Act from the State immediately.

Around 200 womenfolk staged a sit-in-protest at Thoubal Kiyam Tangjeng.

They also took out a torch rally braving police action.

Similar demonstration would also be held at other parts of the district tomorrow, Forum president AK Memcha Devi informed.

Intensifying the ongoing movement, relay hunger strikes were also continued to be launched at different parts of the State.

On the second day today, around 800 people took part in a relay hunger strike agitation held at Hiyanglam Wabagai Lamkhai Bazar today from 9 am to 3 pm.

The agitation was jointly organised by SEDO Hiyanglam; CARD Wabagai; AMAWOVA, Hiyanglam Unit; Kangleichol, UCM Lamkhai Unit and Ikam Lup.

Meanwhile, Oriental Ching-Tam Peace Committee, Kakching Khunou has announced that it would be organising a mass sit-in-protest demonstration in collaboration with various other local organisations on July 26 at Kakching.

Joining in the condemnation chorus against extra-judicial killing of Manorama by AR personnel are also many organisations like Thoubal District Council and Khangabok Zonal Council of All India Students� Federation (AISF).

In separate press statement, the students� bodies also demanded fitting action against the guilty personnel.

Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy students� Union; Yumnam Leikai Meira Paibi Apunba, Manipur; Oinam Sawombung Women�s Development Assn; Local Youth Development Assn, Kwakeithel Leimakhujam Leikai; Khura Washang, Thangmeiband; Moirang Women�s Action Committee; Integrated Women�s Development Orgn, Ningthoukhong; Social and Women�s Welfare Assn, Kwasiphai; Thinungei Women�s Welfare Assn; Meira Apunba Lup, Ningthoukhong; Oriental Youths� Orgn, Kongpal Makha; United Meetei Pangal Development Organisation, Kwakta; Meetei Marup, Wangkhei Thambalkhong; Youth Popular Club, Kyamgei Awang Leikai; WH Embroidery, Wool Knitting and Training Centre, Singjamei Super Market and Ningombam Nupija Yaipha Seva Marup have also strongly condemned extra-judicial killing of Th Manorama.

Manipur College Students' Union (MCSU) while strongly condemning the brutal murder of Thangjam Manorama by personnel of 17 Assam Rifles has appealed to the State Govt to punish the guilty personnel immediately so that such actions are never repeated again in future.

Asserting that imposition of curfew was creating a lot inconveniences to the students community, it urged the Govt to lift the curfew immediately in the interest of the Students community.

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