Two dead scores injured as protestors clash with police at Mao Gate

The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, May 6: Tension runs high at Mao area today following the death of least two protestors who tried to break police barricade to demand safe passage for NSNN(IM) general secretary, Thuingaleng Muivah this morning.

Over 80 others were also injured during clashes between the protestors and police at Mao Bazaar.

It is reported that after the police action people in an around Mao Gate started fleeing from their homes and businesses this afternoon and shifted to neighbouring villages.

Our staff reporter stationed at Mao, reported that the fatal incident occurred when a large crowd of villagers supporting the porposed visit of Th Muivah took out a silent procession from Mao Bazaar this morning around 8.30 am, and proceeded towards Mao Gate where multiple security barricades had been erected recently to prevent the entry of the NSCN (IM) leader.

Initially the large crowd numbering around 400 were given official signal by the security forces to retreat. However in defiance of the warning, the protestors continued to march forward whereupon the police resorted to firing tear gas shells, mock bombs and water cannons.

The rallyists were finally dispersed by the government forces beyond the Mao Bazar around 9 25am.

Thereafter th protestors suddenly regathered near Mao bazar and started pelting stones. The police returned the encore with several rounds of blank fire.

The mob intensified their stone assault resulting in injuring of over 20 security personnel.

A quick rumour started doing the round that two AK-47 service weapons of two security personnel had been snatched by the irate mob near Mao bazar.

Confusion reigned and another report said the incident took an ugly turn when sudden gun fire occurred from unknown direction provoking live round fires by the police.

Two protestor were later found dead.

Eighty others also ended up injured at the end of the mayhem spree.

The deceased were later identified officially as one Nili Chokho, 19, of Kalinamei Village, a student of BA first year Bangalore and D. Lima Oshuo, 19, a BA second year student at Zakhama.

The two dead students were later picked up by the police from the spot they were killed and kept at Mao police station for the post mortem this afternoon.

After the tension subsided a little, a team of top police officials of the Nagaland comprising of two IGs, Kohima SP, DC Kohima and member of the Nagaland Red Cross Society also rushed to Manipur to investigate the matter besides giving aids to the victims.

According to some of the protestors, twenty percent of the injured victims have been rushed to Hospitals at some were stated to be in critical condition while the others injured victims are being treated at nearby hospitals.

In the meantime, the incident has created a fear psychosis at Mao and adjoining areas, and residents have started fleeing to neighbouring villages, said a report.

Security forces also reportedly arrested at least 28 protestors during the follow up operations in the areas this afternoon after reports of ransacking of government properties by the agitators, including the Mao IB, and temporay barrak of the forces.

In the meantime, in order to control the tense situations in Mao area, additional einforcement of IRBs and MR have been rushed this afternoon from Imphal after they were called up from their restpective outposts in the peripheries of greater Imphal this morning.

The entire Mao area is now under the coverage of heavy state security forces at present, however there were no further reports of clashes.

Entrances at Jessami and Tungjoi also have been heavily guarded by state police.

Mao area is completely deserted at night and the journalist team which left Imphal yesterday for the news coverage, stranded at Mao have no shelter.

They are presently taking refuge at the 22 AR camp at Mao.

Schools close, Central forces called out in Imphal for security coverage

The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, May 6: In the aftermath of the violence and tension at Mao-Gate, many schools cancelled their classes around noon and sent home their students.

Khwairamband bazaar, Khurai Lalong bazaar, Kwakeithel bazaar, Pishum bazaar, Singjamei bazaar etc, to closed down with shopkeepers pulling down shutters in apprehension of violence spreading.

Besides the state`s available police forces, CRPF, BSF and MR personnel have also been pressed into service to tighten security coverage at Imphal West and Imphal East and other vulnerable areas from this afternoon to prevent any forms of public demonstrations or agitation in connection with the tense situations in the state.

According to an official source, there is no questions on the shortage of security forces in the valley districts even though there have been large scale deployment of state security forces at Mao gate.

The official source further said to face any eventuality in greater Imphal areas, large scale deployment of central paramilitary forces including BSF and CRPF have started.

This is also in view of the 48 hour general strike of AMUCO which started from 6 pm this evening.

In the meantime, blockade of vehicles plying hill districts by UCM paralysed normal traffic.

Womenfolk in various part of Imphal area has staged a silent sit in protest objecting the proposed visit of Muivah.

The protest were held at Khurai lamlong Bazaar, Khwairamband Bazaar Ima Kheithel, Keishampat Junction.

~ par Alain Bertho sur 7 Mai 2010.

Publié dans दंगा, émeutes, riots