Imphal, September 16: Police resorted to firing tear gas canisters and mock bombs to disperse agitating womenfolk who were blocking road at Soibam Leikai Khanglabung today demanding unconditional release of TIPS general secretary L Umakanta and publicity secretary Y Thabi from police custody.

Besides bursting mock bombs, water canon was also used on the agitators when they came to court arrest themselves at Imphal East Police Station.

At least five women sustained injuries in the incident.

They have been identified as Nongmaithem Mema Leima, Ahongshangbam Memcha, Phijam Robita Leima, Manoharmayum Kunjalata Leima and Takhelmayum Bimolini.

Three of them whose condition are stated to be serious have been reportedly admitted to JN Hospital, Porompat.

The three women who were arrested by the police during the agitation in front of the Assembly yesterday have been send to Sajiwa Jail today.

Protest agitation demanding unconditional release of the arrested TIPS duo were also witnessed at different parts of Bishnupur district today.

In support of the ongoing agitation demanding unconditional release of TIPS general secretary L Umakanta and publicity secretary Y Langamba alias Thabi and Md Ahmed Hussein all the stalls in Khwairamband Bazar and the market sheds along Nagamapal river would remain close and stage a Wakat Meepham on Sep 18.Announcing this during a press conference jointly convened at the Nongmeibung TIPS office today, president of Ima Leipak Thougal Lup Khwai Ima Keithel Western side of Nagamapal and chief functionary of Khwairamband Bazar Stalls Association Y Budhichandra said arrest of innocent persons and torturing them in police custody should be condemned in the strongest term by all the people.

Demanding unconditional release of Umakanta, Thabi and Hussein, they also strongly decried the police action on the women protestors who came to launch protest in front of the Assembly.

Member of Meeot Meenei Kanba Apunba Lup (MEEKAL) S Ibemtombi, who was also present during the press conference categorically stated that the Government should find out those who are involved in the bomb blast at ISKCON and set free Umakanta, Thabi and Hussein without any conditional immediately.

Otherwise, MEEKAL in collaboration with other social organisations would launch various intense form of agitation against the Government, she warned.

Secretary of ChingTam Chaokhat Thourang Nupi Lup Bhanu Bonmei, who also addressed the press conference, said the excesses committed by the armed police personnel on the unarmed women agitators yesterday was a direct affront of the dignity of Manipuri women.

Meanwhile, in a strongly worded statement, MEEKAL has cautioned the State police forces against flexing their muscles on the agitating womenfolk and said such atrocities might earn the wrath of the people.

Reminding about the June 18 incident, the statement signed by MEEKAL convenor Basantakumar also flayed all the elected representatives and the political parties for keeping quite over the issue.

Manipuri Transport Joint Coordinating Committee, Social Youth Voluntary Association (Haoreibi Makha Leikai Salamkhong), Social Development Committee (Haoreibi Makha Leikai Salamkhong), Immortal Club (Yairipok Bamon Leikai), Islamic Youth and Cultural Organisation (Haoreibi Makha Leikai, Samurou Wangma), in separate statements, have also appealed to the Government for unconditional release of Umakanta, Thabi and Hussein from police custody.

Reports have also been received of sit-in-protests staged at Sunusiphai and Naransena in Bishnupur district to denounce detention of Umakanta and Thabi.

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