Guwahati: Amid the ongoing attempt of the state administration to restore peace and harmony among the communities, civil society groups—Meira Paibis a collective group of Meitei women and several other civil bodies has called for a five-day total shutdown of Imphal valley from Sunday midnight.
The call has been given a day after six persons, including three women Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were injured after a clash broke out between protestors and security forces during a torch rally held in Manipur’s Thangmeiband region in Imphal on Saturday.
Informing that a large number of protestors marched towards Khwairamband Ima market and were blocked at several locations, security sources said that confrontations broke out in Thangmeiband, Sagolband and Uripok areas of Imphal West. Security forces lathi-charged, fired tear gas shells, mock bombs, rubber bullets, and live rounds to control the protestors, who retaliated by throwing stones and firing slingshots.
Police said that at least six people, including three CRPF personnel—Ritika Kumari, Santosh Kumari and Sancita Indra—were injured and shifted to the nearby health care centre.
It is significant that a series of torch rallies by the All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO) and the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) have been organised in the Imphal valley since April 11 to protest the April 7 bomb attack in Tronglaobi, Bishnupur district, which claimed the lives of two children. One of the protests turned violent and three protestors were killed during a CRPF firing in Gelmol village in Churachandpur, a Kuki-Zo-dominated district.
While tension was prevailing in Imphal valley areas, two innocent civilians were killed in an attack by militants at T.M. Kasom village in Ukhrul district on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Manipur chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh condemned the incident while stating that the police have registered a case at Litan Police Station, and the investigation is in progress. He assured that the case will be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further inquiry. He expressed his deepest condolences and shared the grief with the bereaved families. He maintained that such targeted attack is a direct assault on peace and communal harmony in the State.
(EOM)
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