Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 22:
Six persons, including five women, sustained injuries when police exploded mockery bombs to disperse a crowd who had converged at near the Chief Minister's official residence to submit a memorandum on unconditional release of two brothers detained since January 20.Out of nowhere over 200 women folks from in and around Sagolmang area converged at the CM's gate at around 3.40 pm to demand release of Loukram Romi (27) and his younger brother Boicha (21) who were picked up from their Sagolmang Awang Leikai residence in the early hours of January 20 by personnel of Sagolmang based 19 Assam Rifles.
Later, in the evening a delegation of the Sagolmang public was allowed to meet the Chief Minister to discuss on the matter.
In a hurriedly convened press briefing Joint People's Committee against the arrest of L Romi and L Boicha formed in the backdrop of the arrests, announced imposition of indefinite 'chakka bandh' along the routes of Imphal-Ukhrul, Imphal-Saikul and Imphal Pukhao effective from today midnight.
According to JPC convenor BK Nandeibam the bandh call is given to protest 'unconvincing' assurance of the CM during the meeting who said the brothers would be released if they are found innocent.
The CM also informed of Romi and Boicha remanded to police custody till January 27 and that as per law punishment will be given if found guilty, conveyed the convenor who added of banning all forms of vehicles with the exception of medical personnel and religious ceremonies.
Following strong protest by the local women folks contending both the arrested brothers are innocent they were formally handed over to Imphal East district police on the same afternoon and had been detained for three days.
As the agitated women folks under the banner of the recently formed 'JAC against the Arrest of L Romi and Boicha' reached the high security zone, security personnel deployed nearby swung into action and prevented them from proceeding further.
As brief scuffle broke out between the large number of women and equally strong police force when the former group attempted to storm the gate inspite of being informed of the Chief Minister engaged in an important session and will meet them (women) after a short while.
Police subsequently exploded the mockery bombs to scar off the agitators causing injuries to Thokchom Anita Devi (24) of Sagolmang Khewa, Sagolsem Pishak Devi (45) of Sagolmang Khewa, Maibam Gambhini (47) of Yumnam Patlou, Soyam Ibemhal (53) of Sagolmang Wakhong, Samurailatpam Thoibi Devi (45) of Khewa and Mongjam Anand Singh (22) of Sagolmang.
All have been discharged after first aid at JN Hospital later in the evening.
JPC members also informed media-persons that resolutions to demand replacement of Assam Rifles with State forces at the Sagolmang post and unconditional release of Romi and Boicha were adopted in a public meeting convened by the body yesterday.