Protestors clash police at Khwairamband

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, January 15, 2019. Khwairamband Bazar of Imphal City today witness confrontation between police and large students and women who were protesting against the passing of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 on January 7.

Police tried to disperse the demonstrators who began their rally at the Bazar.

The protestors confronted with the police forces near Congress Bhawan gate at around 12:30 pm in which the police forces snatched the banners used by the protestors and several mock bombs were hurled to disperse the protestors.

The protestors too plated stones towards the police forces in which one bystander sustain a minor injury.

The police force fully charged against the protestors. One student’s protestor was caught by the police while the rest manage to flee. Police freed the studnet after being requested by the women vendors of the Khwairamband Ima Keithel.

The protestors stand their protest at the middle of the road at Khwairamband blocking the road chanting slogans against the bill.

A woman vendor told reporters that it is very unfortunate that the chief minister made unclear statement after returning from Delhi. It has created an uncertainty to the people of Manipur, she added.

Civil society organizations and students bodies have risen up against the bill. It is now high time for the people of Manipur not to remain as a silent spectator or else our race will be one day dominated by outsiders. The Ima’s of Manipur will stand with any decisions taken up by civil society and students’ body against CAB, she added.

If the chief minister does not make a strong stand against the bill, women vendors of four Khwairamband Ima Keithel are prepared to commit suicide to safeguard Manipur.

Eleven representatives, nine leaders of Khwairamband Ima Keithel and two students were allowed to meet chief minister N. Biren Singh.

After the meeting Manipur Keithel Phambi Apunba Lup president L. Mema Devi, said, thechief minister has assured to stand with the decision made by the people of Manipur if the citizenship bill becomes a law.

She said the chief minister promised that he will take the side of the people.

General Secretary of Johnstone Higher Secondary School students’ union Ningthoujam Nobinchandra who was also among the representatives who met Biren said the chief minister said no government can exist without the support of its people and if the bill is passed he will join the struggle with the people.

Demanding the chief minister to declare his stance for the people of Manipur the representatives warned the chief minister to intensify agitation until and unless the bill is withdrawn.

The angry protestors smashed shops that were opened at Thangal Keithal and vegetable street vendors vending items were also scattered during the protest and bystanders taking photos of the protest through their personnel phones were also chase away avoiding them to take pictures for being a mere spectators rather than joining and standing alongside the protestors.