Imphal, August 02: At least three persons sustained rubber bullet injuries seriously while scores of others were suffocated with smoke released from tear gas canisters in police action, while they were proceeding towards the Chief Minister's bungalow at Babupara this afternoon to court arrest this afternoon.

Hundreds of agitators led by leaders of the 32 organizations spear heading the movement for lifting Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur proceeded from Pureiromba Khongnangkhong at around 1.30 pm today with the intention of launching the stir in front of the Chief Minister�s bungalow.

State police forces acted swiftly and stopped them enroute.

Infuriated agitators tried to barge through the security ring, forcing the police personnel to fire rubber bullets and tear gas canisters.

The confrontation lasted for almost half an hour.

At least three persons sustained severe rubber bullet injuries and many others ran for cover from the suffocating smoke emanating from tear gas shells fired by the police.

Vehicular traffic along the route and activities at Pureilomba market were also disturbed till the situation of brought under control.

Similar confrontation between the police and the agitating Meira Paibis of Singjamei area also took place at around 12.30 pm today.

Around 500 Meira Paibis took out a rally toward Singjamei PS to launch court arrest agitation there.

Police personnel stopped and herded all of them to Kakwa Lilando Lampak, where their names and addresses were registered on alleged ground of violating restriction imposed under 144 Cr PC.

This action of the State police forces infuriated the women agitators all the more and they revolted.

Police personnel fired a number of tear gas shells and rubber bullets to chase the womenfolk away.

Many agitators reportedly sustained injuries in the police action.

Undeterred by police action and in defiance of restriction imposed under 144 CR PC, a large number of people also took out a rally along Mayai Lambi at around 12.30 pm today.

They were proceeding toward Keishampat when police personnel used force and stopped them at Khagempalli with firing of tear gas shells and rubber bullets.

Even the police personnel were having a tough time controlling the agitators, over 100 womenfolk drawn from different parts of Sagolband area took out another protest rally along Sagolband road.

Their intension was to come along the Kwakeithel road via Keishampat.

However, police foiled their demonstration at Wahengbam Leikai point.

Later the daring women agitators court arrested themselves.

Around that same time, around hundred students of CC Higher Secondary School, who were blocking the road in front of the school, were arrested by the police.

At Kongba Bazar too, police rounded up around 400-500 students of 11 different schools when they were launching court arrest agitation at around 12.30 pm today.

The heat of court arrest agitation was also felt at Yairipok Bazar today with police personnel firing several rounds of tear gas shells and rubber bullets to disperse Meira Paibis and students who dared the police to court arrest them.

Around 1000 Meira Paibis and school students coming from Yairipok Angtha and Laimanai side converged at Yairipok Bazar at around 1 pm.

From there they proceeded towards Yairipok Police Station to launch the court arrest agitation.

They were, however, stopped by the security personnel with tear gas shells and rubber bullets.

The rubber bullet firing security personnel even went to the extend of pursuing some agitators who ran for cover inside the school campus of Memorial Model Academy located near Yairipok bazar thereby resulting in causing injuries to a student of the school identified as L Dhruva, son of founder member of the school.

The head master of the school, Rajendro Loitam, who dissuade the security personnel from firing rubber bullets inside the school campus was also allegedly beaten up.

Meanwhile, Working Committee of the Apunba Lup, in a statement, has denounced use of force against the protestors by State security personnel.

The Lup further appealed to all the people to continue the ongoing agitation without any fear and hesitation.

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