Imphal, September 14: Violence marred day 1 of the 48-hour State wide general strike called by All Manipur Muslim Students� Organisation (AMMSO) since last midnight in pursuance of its demand for a separate reservation policy for the minority Muslims living in Manipur.

At least 11 persons including two mediapersons sustained injuries in violent incidents which were witnessed today even as the normal life in the State came to a grinding halt during the general strike today.

Two mediapersons who were returning from Imphal after covering the news of the general strike were attacked by strike supporters at Lilong Haoreibi area at around 6.30 pm.

The two mediapersons identified as G Nanachandra, the Kakching correspondent of North East Fact file and L Mahadeva of Image TV Kakching were accosted and sustained injuries in the attack.

The vehicle belonging to DTP Operator of Imphal Free Press Ch Basudeva of Wangoi Chongtham Kona was also damaged by the strike supporters at Wangoi Muslim area in the evening today.

Nine persons including an 8-year old girl child sustained injuries and were hospitalised at Public Hospital, Hatta Minuthong following a confrontation between the police personnel and the strike supporters at Hatta Golapati area.

According to reports received by the press, police arrested around 30 strike supporters from the area while they were blocking the roads with burning of old tyres, boulders, etc.

In the ensuing confrontation, police resorted to baton-charging, firing of tear gas canisters and rubber bullets resulting in causing injuries to nine people including the 8-year old girl child identified as Bebina (8) d/o Md Amu of Hatta Golapati.

Bebina was hit by a stone allegedly hurled by police personnel towards the agitating strike supportors on her head while he was coming out to buy bread at around 4.30 am.

The identities of the other injured persons are Nungshi (40) d/o Md Rahim of Mana Ingkhol, Sana (35) d/o late Sahidur of mana Ingkhol, Ruhimjan (35) d/o Talak of Mana Ingkhol, Akham (23) s/o Md Ibocha of Golapati, Ibemsana (22) w/o Md Ibocha of Golapati, Md Hafizuddin (16) s/o Md Javar of mana Ingkhol, Ithemsana and Wahejuddin of Hatta Golapati.

Later during the day , the people of Hatta Golapati burnt the effigies of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, MOBC Minister Md Allaudin and MLA Abdul Salam.

North Eastern Muslims Students� Union and Minuthong Mayai Leikai Development Organisation have come out strongly against the police action and said that they would also extend full co-operation to ensure the success of the agitation being launched by AMMSO.

The two organisations also appealed to the people to extend their support to the cause of the Muslim people.

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