Pro-ILPS protests continue at different places
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 06 2015: People from all walks of life continue to demand implementation of Inner Line Permit System in the State, while a large number of bandh supporters blocked almost all roads leading to Imphal city crippling all forms of transport service.

Tense stand-offs were seen between protesters and police at different places in and around Imphal area in the last two days.

Womenfolk of Patsoi area and Toubungkhok today gathered for a protest at Toubungkhok Awang Leikai and later submitted a memorandum to their local MLA AK Mirabai who is also the Social Welfare Minister.

They demanded that the State Government should implement the ILP system immediately and punish the police personnel involved in the killing of Sapam Robinhood and also those who assaulted student protesters at Secretariat few days back.

People continued to block all major roads which converge towards Imphal city transforming the heart of the State into a ghost town.

Large number of people continued to stage sit-in-protest at different places thereby putting the Government under immense pressure to implement ILP system and to save the indigenous people of Manipur.

Loukrakpam Leikai Development Committee staged a sit-in-protest at Sagolband Tera Loukrakpam leikai supporting the pro-ILP movement.

MLA of Sagolband A/C RK Imo took part in a sit-in-protest organized by Sagolband Youth Development Association.

Meira Paibis of Sagolband Salam Meino Leirak, Sagolband Mabudhou Mantri Leikai and SYPO, Sagolband Bijoy Govinda Apunba Nupi Lup and ILVO Bijoy Govinda, Sagolband Tera Sayang Lambi womenfolk and the United Development Organisation also staged numerous sit-in-protest.

Effigy of Chief Minister O Ibobi was burnt by womenfolk at Tera Keithel while at Sagolband Tera Lukram Leirak Machin effigy of the CM, Deputy CM Gaikhangam and MLA of Patsoi A/C AK Mirabai were burnt.

Takyel Khongban Khumanthem Leikai Apunba Lup also demonstrated at Naoremthong.

While a good number of people of Nagamapal Khwai Brahmapur Laimayum Leirak staged a sit-in-protest, womenfolk of Chungkham Leirak, Soram Leirak, Kangjabi Machin, RIMS Machin Apunba Committee collectively staged a sit-in-protest demanding immediate implementation of ILP in Manipur.

Yesterday, Nupi Samaj Palace Compound, OBS Club, Mahabali Kabui Khul and Sana Konung Meira Paibi Lup organized a sit-in-protest at Palace Gate.

Keishamthong Kabui Khul Women Society and Yaiskul Hiruhanba Chingakham Leirak staged a sit-in-protest at Keishamthong.

Along Tiddim road, a large number of womenfolk from Kwakeithel Thokchom Leikai Yumburenbi Ima Nupi Lup, Kwakeithel Makha Tokchom Leikai and Thounaojam Leikai, Kwakeithel Thiyam Leikai Chaokhat Khongthang Nupi Lup, Kwakeithel Akham Leikai Meira Paibi Apunba Nupi Lup, Haobam Marak Irom Leikai Meira Paibi Lup, Kwakeithel Akham Leikai Nganu Lampak and Kakwa Bazaar Nupi Potfam Apunba Nupi Lup staged sit-in-protests at different places.

Meanwhile there was a standoff between protesters and police personnel at Keishampat area yesterday.

Police fired several rounds of mock bombs, tear gas shells and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters who were burning police barricades placed in the area.

Meanwhile, a mysterious fire broke out at Paona Bazaar near the Nambul river which razed a makeshift labourers' camp.

Even as fire tenders rushed in and douse off the fire flame, one Elizabeth (40) w/o Naobi got suffocated and was she rushed to hospital.

It is reported that numerous road blocks were put up and the 48 hours general strike was enforced quite stringently along Ayangpalli Road too.

People also staged sit-in-protests at different localities of RIMS road demanding implementation of ILPS in the State.

Staff of Imphal Hospital staged a sit-in-protest in front of the hospital demanding ILPS in the State today.

Speaking to reporters, a nurse appealed to bandh supporters to give free passage to medical staff.

Saying that they go to hospital to serve the people, she said that it was unfortunate that sometimes they face rude protesters who used abusive language and prevent them to proceed further.

Similar sit-in-protest was also staged at Sagolband Tera.

The protesters hung the effigies of Chief Minister O Ibobi, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai in the middle of National Highway (Imphal- Jiribam road) at Tera Lukram Leirak and shouted the slogan 'We want ILPS' .

Sit-in-protest was also staged at Tera Sayang Lambi, Sagolband Bijoy Govinda, Sagolband Mabudhou Mantri Leikai volunteers and womenfolk of Sagolband Youth Development Association, Sagolband Meino Leirak, MDU road and Keishamthong Kabui Khul and Yaiskul.

Congress MLA RK Imo took part in a sit-in-protest staged at Sagolband.

Padma Diagnostics staff and Khwai Lalambung Makhong Nisa Bandh Meira paibi Lup carried out demonstration at Lalambung.

Similar sit-in-protests were also staged at RIMS south gate, Haorangbam Leikai and Lalambung Makhong Takhellambam Leikai, Thangmeiband Lairenhanjaba Leikai.

Large number of locals of Phumlou area took out a protest rally on Uripok-Kangchup road and stormed Lamshang police station yesterday.

On the otherhand, bandh supporters came out in large numbers at different localities of Uripok like Polem Leikai, Achom Leikai, Khumanthem Leikai, Gopalalji Leirak, Sorbon Thingel, Khaidem Leikai, Canteen Leirak and Laikhurembi.

Police asked the bandh supporters to return home using loud speakers in the morning.

However, at around noon, a huge police-protesters tussle broke out at these areas.

Police fired several rounds of teargas shells and mock bombs and tried to disperse the protesters, who retaliated the police by firing slingshot projectiles.

At one point of time, police ran for cover towards Uripok Laikhurembi as protesters chased them by pelting stones and firing slingshot projectiles.

At the melee, some police personnel were stuck at Jas Gas, Uripok.

Although, the protesters tried to attack them, they managed to escape from the petrol pump firing several rounds of live bullets in the air.

Later, in the afternoon, the protest on Uripok-Kangchup road got intensified after a large number of protesters from Phumlou reached Naoremthong.

They were joined by the residents of Uripok and Naoremthong and marched up to Uripok Mohor Leirak.

However, police pushed the protesters back up to Naoremthong by firing teargas shells and mock bombs.

At the same time, protesters from Uripok Polem Leikai were also chased up to Bijoy Govinda bridge.

Similar confrontations took place between police and protestors on Tiddim road, Wahengbam Leikai and Keishampat areas etc.

Bandh supporters pelted stones at an ambulance of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences at Keishampat junction.

The ambulance was on their way towards RIMS after the medical staff picked up injured persons.

Police-protester tussles were also broke out at Thangmeiband, Kongba and Wangkhei areas as well.

Locals of Kongba burnt the effigy of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam at Kongba bazar.

The police-protestors face-off continued till late last night at different areas yesterday.

People blocked road at Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai, Thangmeiband Muji Leirak, Watham Leirak, DM College gate, Kabrambam Leikai, Khoyathong, Lamphel Sana Keithel, Chingmeirong Maning Leikai, Khongnang Ani Karak.

Protesters at some localities of Thangmeiband did not allow free movement of reporters.

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