Imphal, Aug 11 : The proposed mass rally of the Apunba Lup today turned out to be a failure with the police foiling rallyists at various points.
The Apunba Lup had called the rally demanding the resignation of chief minister, Ibobi, and termination and punishment to those commando personnel involved in the Khwairamband firing on July 23 wherein two persons were killed and five others hurt.
As proposed by the Lup people today turned out to stage a rally in different parts of Imphal. However, their attempts were foiled by the police who dispersed the rallyists using tear gas, mock bombs and rubber bullet.
It was reported that police dispersed a rally jointly organized by the JAC of Sanjit killing and Apunba Lup at Khurai Lamlong bazar during which at least five youths were arrested by the police and two tear gas shells also reportedly landed at the house of late Ch Sanjit. Out of the five arrested youths two were identified as Elangbam Somorjit, 16, of Kongpal and Ranjan Ngangbam, 17, of Kongpal.
In the meantime, hundreds of Lamlai residents who turned out to stage a rally were dispersed by the police after a confrontation took place between the police and the local people. Besides catapults, an arrow was also shot towards the police. However, no casualties were reported in the clash.
Elsewhere, rallies were also foiled at Pungdongbam, Sawombung, Chingarel, Tezpur, Phaknung, Kabui Sairem, Konjeng Leikai etc. but effigies of the chief minister, MLA Landhoni and the state DGP were burnt at these places.
The Working Committee Apunba Lup also planned to submit a memorandum to the Governor of Manipur in the proposed rally with a charter of demands that include, awarding befitting punishement to the criminal police commandos who were involved in the Khwairamband firing, appropriate action against the police officers who tried to conceal the real culprit, resignation of the chief minister on moral ground for his misleading and irresponsible statement to the public on the floor of the Manipur state Assembly as well as the mediapersons, and the unconditional release of those who were detained under police custody in connection with the ongoing agitation.
On the other hand, the police allegedly assaulted three persons this afternoon. The incident took place when police were chasing protestors for burning tyres on the Singjamei road. The tear gas fired during the chase landed at some of the residences causing panic for the people.
The injured persons were identified as one Laishram Jos, Puiyam Ranbir alias Ibohal and Yengkhom Robertson. According to reports they were staying at a social service camp of Waikhom Athletic club and denied that they were involved in the incident of burning tyres.
Besides that, a godown belonging to one Laihram Keto, 46, of Waikhom Leikai was damaged and a 60-year old lady Laishram Bino was hit by a tear gas shell. While expressing their disappointment over the action of the police, the locals said it was very unfortunate that the police personnel had caused unnecessary panic and damage by firing at populated areas and urged the concerned authority to check the matter.