Six inlcuding woman personnel injured in police-protestors confrontation
By A Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, January 23: A team of Imphal West district police led by additional SP Th Bikramjit arrested Thangmeiband MLA Khumukcham Joykishan today for defying restrictions under CrPC 144 imposed by the district magistrate.
He was released by the court later.
The MLA, who has been challenging construction of a temporary market shed by blocking off Thangal Bazar Road was charged of defying the restrictions and leading a protest rally against the construction.
The rally was organised, as was announced earlier, by the Thangmeiband Kendra Development Organisation.
This morning around 10:15, Joykishan accompanied by a large group of supporters including womenfolk marched towards the construction site of the temporary market coming along the Khuyathong to Nagamapal Road from Thangmeiband side.
The MLA was arrested from near Nagamapal area under 155 IPC (Liability of person for whose benefit riot is committed)
His arrest was preceded a strong opposition from his supporters resulting in a confrontation with the police.
The supporters pelted stones at the police which was answered by the later with tear gas shells and mob bombs.
At least six persons including a woman police personnel were injured in the confrontation.
The injured including four women and two men were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
The five injured protestors are identified as RK Tharongoubi, 38, wife of Surjit, G Memchoubi, 38, wife of Shanti, Y Bijaya, 40, wife of Sarat from Thangmeiband, G Donbi, 48 and N Boni, 45 from Nagamapal.
Details of the injured police woman were not immediately available.
Following his arrest, the MLA was shifted to a Police Station and was produced before the CJM Imphal West around 3pm.
The court released him around 3:30pm.
On his return journey, the MLA was received by supporters at Khuyathong shouting `Joykishan defeated the Ibobi government.`
Meanwhile, the BJP Manipur has suggested the State government to convene an all political parties meet on the issue surrounding the construction of the temporary market shed for the displaced women vendors of Ima Markets.
A statement of the party signed by its State president Th Chaoba said the issue surrounding the construction has only grown bigger.
The government has even imposed a curfew in the heart of the city, while the public led by Thangmeiband MLA Joykishan continue to protest, it said.
The statement said the arrest of the MLA alone will not bring a solution to the issue, but it will only grow bigger and turn into an ugly issue.
He said he would like to suggest the State government to stop the construction of the market shed and call an all political party meeting by inviting civil organisations of the State too to discuss the issue.
The meeting should discuss shifting the construction to a different location.