MAFYF leader's arrest : Court arrest bid foiled Three injured in police crackdown

Women cops confront meira paibis demanding the release of Kangleipal near the Raj Bhawan

Imphal, May 12: Atleast three persons reportedly sustained injuries in police action when MAFYF volunteers made an abortive attempt to court arrest in front of Raj Bhawan here today afternoon demanding the unconditional release of MAFYF president Sapamcha Kangleipal from police custody. Kangleipal was arrested by the State police on alleged charge of sedition. As the MAFYF volunteers, numbering around 50, were approaching the Raj Bhawan at around 1 pm, the police commandos lathi-charged and chased them away towards Keishampat side. In all three MAFYF volunteers who sustained injuries in the police action have been reportedly hospitalised at RIMS. At around 2.30 pm, a large number of slogan shouting Meira Paibis demanding unconditional release of Kangleipal also marched towards the gate of Raj Bhawan from Keishampat Power House side. As the women police and the Commandos deployed in the vicinity of the Raj Bhawan gate stopped them, a confrontation ensued. The commandos snatched the festoons being carried by the women protestors who were ultimately driven back towards Keishampat Power House with the police firing tear gas canisters. Wakat Meephams were also reportedly staged at different places today demanding unconditional release of Kangleipal. At Pungdongbam Lamkhai, the protest demonstration was held under the joint aegis of Meira Paibis of Sekta and Pungdongbam, at Seijang Bus Waiting shed, the protest demonstration was organised by Chaokhat Thourang Nupi Phurup, at Sabungkhok Khunou by Sabungkhok Khunou Meira Paibi Lup, at Yaingangpokpi Bazar by the Meira Paibi Lups of Sanasabi, Thamnapokpi, Golatabi and Yaingangpokpi, at Chana by Chana Meira Paibi Lup, at Tellou Keithel by Tellou Meira Paibi Lup, at Nongpok Kakching by Nongpok Kakching Meira Paibi Lup, at Nongdam Bazar by Nongdam Meira Paibi Lup at Lamlai Bazar by Lamlai-Chalou Meira Paibi Lup and at Nongren. After the protest demonstration, a large number of Meira Paibis from Nongada area descended as Palace Gate here and charged towards the Chief Minister's bungalow raising the demand for unconditional and immediate release of Kangleipal from police custody. They were, however, stopped by the security personnel near Sanjenthong. The Meira Paibis requested the Police commandos to atleast allow them to see condition of Kangleipal in the police custody. But the request was turned down. Afterward the police commandos chased away the Meira Paibis till the Palace Gate. In separate press statements, the Meitei Society, Churachandpur; the United Women's Voluntary Association, Yumnam Patlou; the Chanura Chaokhat Khongthang Lup, Khewa Company; the Khewa Phurju Chanura Marup, Pukhao Phurju; Eastern United Sporting Club, Tellou; Mothers' Association, Ichum; Sanjenbam Khullen Women Welfare Association, Takhel; Social and Rural Development Organisation, Langmeithet Maning Leikai; Rural Youth Development Organisation, Charangpat Maning Leikai; Takhel Chaokhat Khongthang Nupi Lup, Takhel; Social Rising Club, Phoubakchao Khokmakhong; the Phoubakchao Young Muslim Development Association, Phoubakchao; the Uyumpok Mahila Welfare Association, Uyumpok, etc have also demanded unconditional release of MAFYF leader from police custody at once.