IMPHAL, May 24: At least 10 persons including six students and four policemen sustained injuries as pro-ILP activists clash with police at Keishampat Junction today as JCILPS sponsored protests continues relentlessly.
A large group of people led by volunteers of JCILPS student’s wing tried to storm the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office at Nitaipat Chuthek this afternoon with an intention of shutting it down. However, police foiled the attempt and dispersed the crowd by using tear gas shells, smoke bombs and batons. In retaliation, the student protestors attacked the police by pelting stones.
During the clash at least 10 persons including six students and four police personnel were reportedly injured.
The confrontation also disrupted the traffic movements briefly besides giving panic attacks to residents in the area.
All shops in the nearby areas were forced to shut down their shutters due to the sudden confrontation.
On the other hand, similar attempt of JCILPS supporters to storm the Congress Bhavan in BT Road was also foiled by the police minutes after the clash at Keishampat.
A large group of JCILPS supporters comprising mostly of women and students tried to proceed towards the Congress Bhavan chanting slogans for implementation of ILP system in the state.
A strong team of police already deployed at the gate of Congress Bhavan dispersed the crowd using smoke bombs.
It may be mentioned that JCILPS had some days back instructed political parties in the state to shut their offices from May 24 which is to be followed by closure of government offices as part of the ploy to mount pressure on the government to implement the ILP system in the state.
However, the ‘closing down’ of political party offices was limited for the day with attempts to storm BJP and Congress Bhavan.
The injured students have been identified as Bijyalaxmi, Roger, S Memcha Leima, Ngangom Rakesh, Loitongjam Suresh, and Romio Keisam.
The injured policemen have been identified as Meisnam Romita, 37, wife of Kh Sanajaoba Singh of Takyel Kolom Leikai, Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police (ASI) Themkhoneng Haokip, wife of Haolal Haokip of Haokip Veng, Sapam Homendro Singh, 28, son of S Ibomcha Singh of Kothoujam Awang Leikai and Laishram Rajdhop Singh, 31, son of L Rajendro Singh.