Six women hurt in police crackdown, bandh called
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 28 2012: At least six women sustained injuries at Wabagai when police cracked down on a mass rally taken out against crimes committed on women.

Denouncing the alleged excesses committed by police, a 24 hours general strike has been called in Thoubal district.

The mass rally was organised by the JACs constituted against gang rape of *** and murder of Keisham Premila in collaboration with several civil society organisations.

Just as the rally was set off, police swooped down and tried to push back the protesters.

According to the plans, the rally was to flag off from two points, Kakching Lamkhai and Wabagai Lamkhai before converging at Kakching Mayai Leikai community hall for a public meeting.

As people assembled at Wabagai Lamkhai for the rally this afternoon, police arrived at the scene and drove away the protesters.

After some tussle, the protesters managed to proceed on their route.

But they were again blocked by police at Keirak Khongnang Leikai resulting in an intense scuffle between the two sides.

In their efforts to drive back the protesters, police fired several rounds of tear gas shells and mock bombs causing injuries to at least six women.

Out of them, injuries caused to Yumnam Modhubala (47) of Langmeidong Maning Makha Leikai are said to be serious.

She was taken to Kakching CHC.

From the CHC, Modhubala was referred to a private clinic located at Wabagai Lamkhai where she is undergoing treatment.

Later speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here in the evening, Y Sushila representing the two JACs condemned the police action targeting the peaceful rally as most heinous.

"We were planning to hold a public meeting after taking out a mass rally against the rising rate of criminal activities and violence against women but the women protesters were made targets of Thoubal District Police", Sushila decried.

She also demanded the Government to take up befitting actions against the police personnel involved in the unwarranted crackdown.

To protest the crackdown and re-endorsing the earlier demands to award exemplary punishment to all murderers and rapists, the two JACs have decided to call a 24 hours general strike in Thoubal district with effect from the intervening night of April 28 and April 29 .

Sushila informed that the two JACs have been preparing to launch more protest movements.

**** of Nungleiband, Tamenglong district was gang raped by four individuals including two IRB personnel in the morning of March 22 .

All the four accused have been sent to judicial custody.

Keisam Premila of Wabagai Thingel Leikai was found murdered in the most brutal manner atop Kakching Mahadeva hills on April 9 .

She went missing since March 25 .

The main accused in Premila's murder case, Mayanglambam Khelendro of Kakching Turel Wangma Ningthou Pareng has been already nabbed by police and sent to judicial custody.

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