Woman home guard hunger striker arrested

By A Staff reporter

IMPHAL| July 24

On the second day of fasting by five women home guard personnel, one of the volunteers has been admitted at RIMS due to her deteriorating health condition. The hunger strike was launched demanding increment of pay since June 20.  

Earlier five male home guards personnel who were on hunger strike were arrested by the state police on the evening of June 22. Following their arrest, the five women personnel joined the strike.

The arrested woman home guard has been identified as L. Surbala Devi. A brief skirmish took place between the agitating home guard personnel and the state police, which was led by led by Imphal West additional SP Priyadarshini Laishram.

This reporter saw heated exchanges of words between the police and the agitators. Eventually hunger striker Surbala was taken into police custody as her health condition was deteriorating.

Speaking to the media, one of the personnel, Ibetombi said the agitation will continue until their demands are met. “Today’s forcible arrest will not bog us down. We are strong personnel of 2000. The fast agitation will be joined by more and more volunteers phase wise”, she said.

She lambasted the present government for not considering their rightful demand though the agitation has already completed one month.