Several hurt in attempt to storm PS

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 26: Several persons were hurt today when protesters attempted to storm Irilbung police station, demanding arrest of suspects in the murder of Ngangkham Thambou.
While several persons were hurt with minor injuries, a woman identified as Nongthombam Tete (40) of Keirao Wangkhem Awang Leikai was hit by a tear gas shell on her right arm. She was rushed to Irilbung Primary Health Centre for medical treatment.
A large number of locals from Keirao Wangkhem, Keirao, Langdum, Chanam Sandrok and Thiyam Konjil and surrounding areas were marching toward Irilbung police station when a confrontation broke out resulting in security forces firing tear gas shells.
Notably, the protest march and the attempt to storm Irilbung police station occurred amid a 72-hour bandh along Yairipok-Imphal road called by the Joint Action Committee against the killing of Ngangkham Thambou.
While the JAC's 72-hour bandh has ended today, the committee has said that its future course of agitation will be decided shortly.
Ngangkham Thambou was shot and killed by intruders at his house at Keirao Wangkhem Mamang Leikai in the early hours of July 20.
His wife, Ngangkham Keinatombi, was also stabbed multiple times and critically injured in the attack.
While police had reportedly arrested a suspect from the same locality, the JAC had alleged that police have failed to identify and arrest all the suspects even after one was arrested.
When protesters were marching from Keirao Khunou to Irilbung police station today, they were first stopped at Irilbung Panthoibi Keithel.
The protesters broke through the police and continued their march, but were stopped again after crossing the Irilbung bridge by a large force of police and Central Armed Police Force personnel.
A confrontation then broke out between the protesters and the security forces. The security forces then resorted to firing tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. The protesters also pelted stones at the security forces. Ten youth protesters were detained and later released in the evening.
Meanwhile, Keirao Block Congress Committee has condemned the "failure" of the police to arrest the culprits even after one suspect has been arrested.
Addressing a press meet at Keirao Litan Makhong, Keirao BCC advisor MI Khan said the committee strongly condemns the killing and is demanding the police to swiftly identify and arrest all the persons involved in the case.
The Government on the other hand shouldn't replace justice with ex-gratia. The brutal attack that killed Thambou and injured his wife is reflective of the State's Government's failure to maintain law and order, he said. The Keirao BCC supports the people's agitation, he added.