MLA Paonam Brojen barred entry to Tentha Rally staged against Tentha assault
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 30 2016: Taking strong exception to the reported outrage at Tentha Mathak Konjin Leikai under Khongjom police station in Thoubal district yesterday, womenfolk staged a rally at Wangjing to denounce the incident today.

Trouble started yesterday when a large number of meira paibis and youth of Tentha gathered and stormed a function at Tentha Mathak Konjin Leikai, where Wangjing Tentha MLA Paonam Brojen was present.

The MLA was there to handover a playground but a large number of meira paibis and youth gathered and stormed the function, burning down at least 20 chairs and the shamiana used for the function.

Elder brother of the MLA, Paonam Khelen (61) and two others Paonam Thambou (47) and Md Kiyam were also assaulted in the melee and today's rally was staged in condemnation of yesterday's incident.

Rally at wangjing against beaten of MLA Brojen

The rally started from Wangjing Ningthou Umanglai Laibung participated by a large number of womenfolk from Wangjing and Kairenbikhok.

During the rally the womenfolk raised a number of slogans including, 'Stop communalising issues', 'We are against the culture of abducting for vote,' 'We condemn attempts to kill innocents,' etc.

After the rally a public meeting was held at Wangjing Ningthou Umanglai Laibung under Hanjabam Radhe.

During the meeting a number of resolutions were adopted and some of the resolutions read as 'Politicising the issue under the influence of former MLA M Hemanta is a clear indication that he is not fit to be a leader of the people,' 'To demand justice and give fitting punishment to those who assaulted the three people yesterday,' 'Condemn the machinations of some elements for pitching the people of Wangjing and Tentha against each other', 'To bar the entry of all those involved in yesterday's incident to Wangjing and Kairenbikhok.' The meeting also resolved to oppose the agenda of anyone to sow the seeds of discord between the people of the two places and to unitedly face such challenges in the future.

On the other hand, the United Youth Front (UYF), Tentha has issued a notification barring the entry of MLA Paonam Brojen to Tentha.

In a statement, the UYF said that instead of pulling up those who whisked out guns to threaten the people of Tentha, the Wangjing Tentha Kendra Development Committee (WTKDC) ridiculed Tentha as an undeveloped place.

The committee is not for the development of Wangjing Tentha but was formed by a few individuals for their personal gain, alleged UYF.

Stating that UYF will stand opposed to the WTKDC, the statement said that from today MLA Paonam Brojen is barred from entering Tentha.

The MLA is socially boycotted in Tentha, it added.