IMPHAL, January 28: At least seven individuals including women were injured in a violent confrontation between agitators and police today at Oinam bazaar during the first day of the 48 hour bandh imposed along the Tiddim road in the area.
Meanwhile, police also reportedly arrested 15 protestors.
The bandh which commenced from 5 am this morning was imposed by the Oinam Tangleihada Okshoi Grazing Ground Protection Committee.
In response to the bandh, locals of the Oinam area came out in the streets and blocked the roads piling up burning tyres, log and stones, disrupting the normal traffic along the Tiddim road.
A team of Bishnupur police rushed to the area and attempted to disperse the crowd using tear gas, mock bombs. In retaliation, the agitators started using catapults and throwing stones. In the confrontation at least seven individuals were reportedly injured.
The bandh was reportedly imposed in opposition to a government decision to hand over 128 hector of grazing ground to the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry department.
The committee claimed that during the last 70 years the grazing ground has become an important part of the people living in and around the Oinam area. It may be mentioned that the committee had reportedly submitted memorandums on several occasions demanding the State to cancel the allotment.