Cops crack down on rally
Gunman fires at Heirok bus, 3 hurt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 24: Even though the peace rally that was proposed to be staged by the people of Heirok in the backdrop of the ban imposed on their movement by the KYKL and UNLF was foiled by the police today, the homeward journey of the people from Heirok turned out to be a terrible experience as three persons including two women were injured when an unidentified gunman opened fire at the bus in which they were travelling today at about 6 pm at Singjamei Mayengbam Leikai.

According to the two women who are recuperating at Shija Hospital, the gunman clad in a T Shirt and shorts opened fire at their bus today at about 6 pm at Singjamei Mayengbam Leikai with a small gun.

The two injured women recuperating at Shija Hospital

On hearing the gun shots the bus sped away at high speed and it was only when they reached Lilong that realisation dawned that some of them were injured in the incident.

The injured women have been identified as Khundongbam ningol Ningthoujam ongbi Yaima Devi wife of N Binoy of Heirok Part I, Heitoupokpi and Laishram ningol Ningthoujam ongbi Shalu Devi (60) wife of N Ingocha of Heirok Part II bazar.

The third person is a man identified as Laishram Ibomcha (33) of Heirok Part III.

He is recuperating at Thoubal hospital.

Recalling the incident, the two women said that most of them in the bus were women with only four men at the rear side.

Yaima Devi suffered a bullet injury on the right heel while a bullet deeply grazed the left thigh of Shalu Devi.

Ibomcha was hit near the right heel.

After first aid at Thoubal hospital the two women were brought to Shija hospital by a team of Thoubal police led by SDPO Jogeshchandra.

The incident has obviously not deterred the two women who asserted that they would continue to participate in all future course of agitation launched by the people of Heirok.

Vice president of the JAC, Basanta said that a public meeting will be held tomorrow to discuss further course of action.

When contacted, SP of Thoubal police, Clay Khongsai said that as usual security were on alert but after the incident, the BSF and Assam Rifles have been briefed to beef up security.

Police too have tightened the security arrangements.

Tight security measures have been taken up at Shija hospital and SP of Imphal East police, Radheshyam also visited the hospital to take stock of the situation.