Bandh/dharna protest youths' slaying
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 07: The dawn to dusk bandh called to protest the killing of three persons by Imphal West Police Commandos at Kwakeithel Heinoukhongnembi yesterday concluded peacefully with no report of bandh-related incident from any part of the State.

It, however, crippled normal life as most market places and business establishment remained shut and transporters stayed off the road.

The bandh was total along the Tiddim line with many bandh supporters erecting road blockade and staging sit-in-protest demonstration demanding punish- ment of the guilty Police commandos.

People take part in the protest demonstration at Tiddim Line

A large number of people, majority of whom are womenfolk staged Wakat Meephams on both side of Tiddim Road today even as police fired tear gas canisters to disperse protestors blocking the road at Malom area.

The protest demonstration began from 10 am onward was held at various points along the road like Ningthoukon Leikai, Thounaojam Leikai, Heinou Khongnembi and Paite Veng.

The protestors strongly condemned the excesses committed by the security forces and demanded giving befitting punishment to the guilty police commandos.

At Malom area, police resorted to firing tear gas canisters in an attempt to disperse a large number of protestors coming out to block the road.

Sapam Paka alias Brojen (27) s/o S Gosai of Malom Tuliyaima Awang Leikai, Taorem Boba (28) s/o Rajen of Changangei Ucheckon and Thangkhenmung alias Thamung (27) s/o Vungkham Hangzo of Paite Veng were killed by the Imphal West District police commandos after a hot chase at Kwakeithel Heinou Khongnembi Puthabi under contradictory claims.

While the police claimed that the three youths were killed in self defence as they hurled hand grenades at the pursuing commandos, the local people debunked the police claim by asserting that the youths were unarmed and have been killed in cold-blood.

The bandh in protest against the killing by the JAC formed in connection with the incident.

Meanwhile, various social organisations have come out strongly against the alleged excesses committed by the security personnel in killing the three persons and levelling false charges afterward.

In a statement, United People�s Front (UPF), Manipur said that the action of the police commandos in killing the three unarmed youths and later levelling charges would give the impression of State Police Dept to the people as a bunch of trigger-happy liars.

Understanding the pulse of the people, the State Govt should pull up the police commandos involved in the incident and give them befitting punishment without waiting for the people launched agitation in this regard, publicity secretary of UPF Leishangthem Naobi said in a statement.

Wondering whether levelling false charges after having killed innocent people is the nature of the police commandos who are supposed to protect the innocent people, Hmar Students� Assn has demanded the State Govt to take the matter seriously and terminate the guilty commandos from service along with instituting a judicial inquiry into the incident and taking up necessary ex-gratia to the bereaved families in accordance to the demand of the JAC.

Condemning the killing, Paite Tribal Council, Imphal Block, Young Paite Association, Imphal Block and Paite Veng Unit have also demanded action against the guilty police commandos.

HERICOUN, MEEKHOL, MAFYF, Lok Janshakti Party, State unit, Dharma Rakshak Samiti, Manipur and Patsoi Kendra Development Council, etc are also among the organisations which have strongly condemned the killing.