Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 08:
Giving a further boost to the ongoing public demand for revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 from Manipur, intelligentsia of the State today came out in the open to protest against the prolonged imposition of the repressive Act which has done except allowed the security personnel to indulge in rampant human rights violation.
Writers, film makers and other noted personalities from various walks of life took part in a protest demonstration held in front of MDU Hall, Yaiskul today.
Padmashree MK Binodini Devi and renown film maker Aribam Syam Sharma who were present among the demonstrators spoke eloquently against imposition of black laws in Manipur and demanded the revocation of AFSPA in the interest of peace and harmony in the region.
Tight security arrangements were taken up around the demonstration site, but the security personnel did not use force to disperse the intellectuals from expressing their solidarity to the mass movement for withdrawal of AFSPA.
However, the scene of demonstration at Moirangkhom, just a stone throw away from where the State intelligentsias were staging a sit-in-protest was quite different with local people engaged in a pitched battle with the security personnel.
Intensifying the ongoing agitation, a large number of local residents today came out on the road and blocked the Imphal-Moreh Road stretch of National Highway 39 near Moirangkhom Bazar today prompting the security personnel to use force against the protestors.
The protestors and the security personnel played a kind of hide and seek game the whole day with the former resuming their road blockade every time after they were dispersed by tear gas and rubber bullets.
At Patsoi PS, the protest turned ugly with many people hurt in police action when around 200 men and women from Sangaithel, Loitang, Maklang, Salam, Liker, Canchi Khul, Kiyam, Sairon and Thouroijam launched court arrest agitation and shouted slogans at the gate of the police station.
Police resorted to firing numerous rounds of rubber bullets, smoke bombs and tear gas shells to control the mob.
Infuriated people also retaliated with stone and catapult assault.
The confrontation lasted for almost half an hour and one of the protestors identified as Leimakhujam Shanti (27) of Haorang was hospitalised with serious injuries.
At Lamshang Bazar around 1000 women activists of Lamdeng Makha Leikai Women Association, Chaokhat Khongthang Marup, Toukhong; Heibongpokpi Nupi Association, Nupi Khunai Lamshang Bazar; Progressive Youth Association, Taothang Khunou/Lamdeng Khunou Women Association, Linthoingambi Women Welfare Association, Lamshang Mayai Leikai Welfare Association and Women Welfare Association, Lamshang Awang Leikai Nupi Khunai, Lamshang Bazar took part in a mass sit-in-protest demonstration from 9 am to 5 pm today.