IMPHAL, March 22: At least three women bandh supporters were injured when police fired tear gas shells to disperse protestors during the 24-hour bandh called by Khousabung Sub-Division Demand Committee along Tiddim road and Churchandpur district today.
The bandh greatly affected normal life in Churachandpur district.
Movement of private and commercial vehicles along Tiddim Road from Churachandpur to Moirang came to a standstill as volunteers enforced the bandh along the road since early morning.
Meanwhile, the KSDDC condemned in the strongest term the ‘barbaric’ and unwarranted act of Manipur police commandos who unleashed terror by firing shells of tear gas on bandh supporters at Kwakta resulting in the injury of three democratic protesters.
The KSDDC in a statement strongly urged the authority concerned to take fitting action against those police commandos responsible for injuring the protestors at the earliest.
Most of educational institutions in Churachandpur district headquarters remained closed for the day during the bandh period.
To disperse women protestors who were blocking the road at Kwakta, Manipur police commandos fired tear gas shells at the protestors followed by lathi-charged. The incident occurred around 8.30 am this morning.
In the melee, three protesters were injured. They have been identified as Taiboi wife of Gina, Hoihneihthieng daughter of Chuonlal and Hoihneihtai daughter of K Lun. All three were admitted to the Churachandpur District Hospital.
In the meantime, the bandh was strictly enforced at Salbung area along Tiddim road till Sielmat area of Churachandpur district headquarters.
By evening, road blocks were put up at different locations.
KSDDC has been demanding renaming of the new subdivision of Churachandpur district as Khousabung subdivision with its headquarters at Khousabung.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by the KSDDC said that the 24 hours bandh as part of its relentless struggle for justice was a success.
Expressing thanks to all concerned organisations and individuals for their cooperation in making the bandh a success, the KSDDC said the success of the bandh was a testimony to the fact that majority of the people concerned crave for justice and they stand by the demand for justice.
The KSDDC along with like-minded civil society organisations, is ready to resume series of intense agitation if the State Govt chooses to maintain its indifferent attitude to its genuine demand, it said.
It is also ever ready to face any covert or clandestine and coercive attempts to inaugurate the SDO/BDO office at Kangvai until the matter is disposed at the right platform and the genuine demand fulfilled, it added.
The KSDDC said it is firm on its commitment that there would be no rest until justice is delivered.
Khousabung is the preferred choice of 117 chiefs out of the 125 villages covered by the new subdivision, it said while urging the State Government to respect the voice of the people instead of pursuing appeasement policy.