Imphal: At least 50 agitators were injured while thousands thronged at most of the police stations and police out-posts in Imphal East and West area under ‘jail fill protest’ in continuation of the demand for unconditional release of five village volunteers, one lady scribe injured.
As tense escalated in Imphal districts after protestors dismantle Imphal Police station and Singjamei Police station, curfew relaxation of Thursday has been curtailed from 5 pm with immediate effect for both the districts.
The injured scribe was Babie Shirin of Imphal Free Press. She received minor injury on her left shoulder from a stone pelted by the protestors towards the security forces near Porompat Police station.
The protest was spearheaded by Langthabal Kendra Club’s Coordinating Committee, Langthabal Kendra Meira Paibi coordinating committee, All Kongba Road United Club’s Organisation, Kuraomakhong United Club and Khurai Ahongei Thangjam Leikai Club.
In continuation of the protest after 48 hours shutdown across the state, the organisations announced to storm at various police stations and police outpost to intensify agitation.
Protestors from different directions came towards Singjamei police station and gathered near Singjamei police station at around 1.30 pm. The protestors started chanting slogans “Release the five village volunteers unconditionally”, “Arrest us all if not release the five valley villagers unconditionally” and others.
Outraged protestors stormed at Singjamei police station. Rapid Action Forces (RAF) along with state police personnel including women personnel blocked the women protestors about 20 metres away from Singjamei police station gate.
Confrontation took placed between combined security forces and women protestors.
To disperse the protestors RAF hurled mock bombs and fired tear gas shells.
Tension escalated among the protestors and retaliated with slingshots and stones towards the security forces.
At around 3.30 pm and 4 pm some protestors reportedly damaged the residences of Singjamei Police station, officer-in-charge, AK Sanathoi and Imphal Police station, officer-in-charge, N. Ingocha located at Singjamei Thongam Leikai, Lane 3 and Canchipur near Manipur University 2nd gate respectively.
Ground floor of Sanathoi’s residence was partially damage while the protestors damaged some glass window pane and tried to arson the residence of Ingocha. However, locals of Canchipur stop the protestors from further damage and the fire was extinguished by the locals.
Similar protest was also seen at Kwakeithel Police Outpost, Imphal West; Chingmeirong Police Outpost, Imphal West; Irilbung Police Station; and other police stations and police out post located at Imphal East and West districts.
One of the protestors that tried to storm Porompat police station as a part of ‘Jail fill protest’ told reporters that for the last over 4 months Manipur has been burning. Due to the failure of law and order, villagers took up arms to protect their respective villages.
He said businessmen, politicians and authorities are supporting their respective communities.
“Why the state government arrested those village volunteers if there is no law, we are all same, we have been fighting to protect the integrity of Manipur. Why should we let them face the consequences by themselves after they were arrested?” He questioned.
Police have to arrest all the people who take up arms to protect their villages against the attack of Kuki narco-terrorist, he added.
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