Public-police clashes continue for third consecutive day

IMPHAL, July 11: For the third consecutive day, ILPS supporters came out defying curfew orders and imposed road blocks, conducted mock funeral of the Chief Minister, burn his effigies, staged sit in protest demanding withdrawal of the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill 2015.

The protestors were also demanding a Bill to safeguard the indigenous people of the State.

Although curfew was relaxed for five hours from 5am to 10am today, as soon as the curfew was re-imposed people came out to the streets and started demonstrating, resulting in several fierce police-agitators confrontations.

Meanwhile, the government has started deploying CRPF personnel including women personnel in the State capital to reinforce State security forces in controlling the raging agitation.

At Hiyangthang, meira paibis of Hiyangthan and Langthabal organised a joint meira rally.

In Kakwa a strong police-agitators confrontation occurred.

Police fired tear gas shells, rubber bullets, used catapults as the agitators also pelted stones and used catapults. There were several reports of minor injuries sustained during the confrontation.

The agitators also used foul language against the media persons covering the incident.

Police-agitators confrontations were also witnessed in Sagolband, Keisamthong, Kwakeithel, Pisum, Khagempali, Heirangoi Thong, MU gate, Kakwa, Kongman, Kongba, Basikhong, Heingang, Kontha Ahalup.

The Ragailong Pei (Thoubei), Ragailong women society, Ragailong youth club, JCILP Student Wing and MSF Imphal West also jointly conducted a torch rally at Ragailong.

The people also paid their respect to Sapam Robinhood who lost his life on July 8.

The Chingmi Tami Meira Paibi Lup also staged a sit in protest in the Langol area. Similar protests were staged at Lairkyengbam Leikai, Keisamthong, Khabam Leikai, Kontha Ahalup, Heirangoi Thong, Singjamei Mayeng Leiaki, Kongba, Singjamei Khatri Leiaki.

Rallies were also taken out at Sekmai, Mayang Langjing, Langthabal Phura Makhong, Pangei Bazar, Chanchipur, Ragailong, Kakwa and Singjamei.

Security forces also arrived to control the rallies and mob protests.

There were reports of police personnel suffering minor injuries in the tussle with the agitators.

In Khurai, agitators conducted a mock funeral of State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.

Sit in protest against the death of a student in police firing on June 8 were also staged at several places along the National Highway 2 starting from Khabam Lamkhai to Sekmai today.

Women folk started gathering on the highway since 11 am and staged sit in protest at Khabam Lamaki, Koirengei, Khonghampat, Pheidinga, Khurkhul, Sekmai and Maharabi.

At Khabam Lamkhai, around 700 women from various villages including Khabam, Heingang, Achanbingei, Matai, Luwangsangbam under the apunba Meira Paibee of Heingang Kendra gathered and staged the sit in protest.

The womenfolk later burned down effigies of the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and his deputy Gaikhangam.

Slogans were also shouted demanding implementation of the ILPS, to safeguard the indigenous people of the State.

Condemning the incident of the death of Robinhood, the womenfolk also demanded punishment of the personnel involved.

Meira paibis of Koirengei also demonstrated at Koirengei Bazar, Khonghampat Mantri Leikai and Khonghampat Awang Leikai.

At Loitang, Pheidinga, Khurkhul, Sekmai, Maharabi sit-in-protest and protest rally were held blocking traffic movement along the NH-2.

The women protestors displayed placard reading `implement ILP in state` `safe indigenous people of Manipur` `we condemn student killed` and `Punish personnel who killed student`.

Meanwhile, sounds of smoke bombs and tear gas shells continue to echo even till late evening.

It may be mentioned that the JAC and JCILPS has underlined to continue to demonstrate agitations and protest rallies until the ILPS or similar Act is not implemented in to the state safeguarding the indigenous community of the state. The JAC along with family members of the deceased Sapam Robinhood denied accepting the soul-less body until the demand of the public is not met.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/publicpolice-clashes-continue-for-third-consecutive-day/