IMPHAL, November 14: Police fired tear gas shells and mock bombs at Khoyathong at 11.30 am today to disperse a massive protest rally organised with the objective of showing resentment against the brutal killing Wahengbam Thembung at Ragailong yesterday.
Meanwhile, police sources stated that five persons have been arrested in connection with the murder. Four of them were booked yesterday while another one was picked up today.
Angry residents of Thangmeiband Leirenhanjaba Leikai, where the deceased belonged to, and nearby areas congregated in the locality this morning and held a meeting. After the meeting, large number of people poured out into the main street and start moving toward Khoyathong. The protestors used loudspeakers to highlight their demands for the arrest of the individuals involved in the killing and meting out of prompt and befitting punishment to them. But, the procession could not continue beyond Khoyathong due to a strong presence of security personnel.
A police team led by Deputy SP, Imphal West District CDO, used barricades to prevent the protestors from moving further. Tension escalated as a heated confrontation ensued between the security force and the enraged people. In order to control the situation, reinforcement of police led by SP K Jayanta himself was rushed to Khoyathong.
During the heated argument reinforcement police of the District Police rushed to the Khouyathong traffic point lead by the K Jayenta Imphal west SP
The security personnel directed the protestors to head towards Khoyathong Pukhri Achouba Leirak and diverted the route of vehicles coming from Kanglapat towards Khoyathong to an alternative route. After unflinching protestors attempted to force their way towards Nagamapal by overrunning the barricades, the police resorted to firing teargas shells and mock bombs as counteractive measures. Large numbers of police personnel were deployed at strategic locations in the area as pre-emptive action. Shops and other establishment downed their shutters today.
During the melee, two women protestors were injured. They were identified as Wahengbam ongbi Ganeshori, 36, wife of Luwangngamba of Thangmeiband Leirenhanjaba Leikai, who received injury on her right side of head, and Karam ongbi Loitang, 48, wife of Lakhaman of Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai who received minor injury on her right hand. Ganeshori was admitted to RIMS Hospital for treatment.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/11/tension-persists-in-thangmeiband-over-youth-killing/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tension-persists-in-thangmeiband-over-youth-killing