IMPHAL, July 12: There was no respite as public protest demanding withdrawal of the Manipur Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 and the enactment of a law to safeguard the indigenous people of the State continued for the fourth consecutive day today.
The indefinite curfew imposed since July 9 was, however, relaxed from 5 am to 2 pm today.
Road blocks imposed by burning tyres and logs on the road continued, even as protestors sat on dharnas, took out rallies and burn effigies of the Chief Minister at several places.
Protestors were seen placing rock boulder and drying women`™s clothing on the roads.
Sit in protests were staged at Nongmeibung, Kwakeithel Konjeng Leikai, Porompat Soibam Leikai Ayangpali Road, Khanglapung Porompat Road, Soibam Leikai Citizen Club, Lamboi Khongnangkhong, Naoremthong and Keisampat Leimajam Leikai, Nongmada, Serou, Lamlai bazaar, Chana Tillou, Sekta, Leimakhong, Yourbung, Sawombung, Tezpur, Lamsang, etc.
Keishamthong Kabui Khul Mothers and Keishamthong Yaiskul Apunba Lup jointly staged a sit-in protest at Keishamthong Yaiskul Police Lane demanding implementation of ILPS and withdrawal of Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill.
Meira paibis of Keishampat Leimajam Leikai hold a sit in protest supporting the ILPS issue as well as condemning police action.
The meira paibis said police fired tear gas shells and live bullets towards some houses in the locality around 9 pm to 10 pm yesterday although there were no protestors.
The unprovoked firing of the police has frightened the residents, they said and added further that Keishampat Leimajam Leikai supports the JCILPS`™ demand and agitation until the ILPS is not implemented in Manipur.
Meira Paibis of Tinsid Road also held a sit in protest and maintained a two-minute silence honouring Sapam Robinhood who was killed during police firing at a protest rally.
The meira paibis also took out a rally but were blocked by the police at Lamlong Bazar.
Protestors were also seen along the whole Singjamei to Chanchipur stretch of the Imphal-Moreh highway blocking the road by placing road boulders.
Police tried to disperse the protestors by firing tear gas shells, catapults and lobbing mock bombs, however, the protestors replied by shooting catapults and pelting stones.
Police finally managed to disperse the protestors at Kakwa after a huge back up team arrived.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister`™s effigies were set on fire at Utlou. Protestors also claimed the police lobbed a mock bomb and arrested a protestor from the protest site.
Meira rallies were taken out at Ningthoukhong, Pangei Bazar, Kakwa Khunjao, Nongmada and Uripok. At Napetpalli, women agitators of a meira rally marched towards the police station.