New Delhi, July 22: At least eight persons received serious injuries during a pitch battle between the tear gas and rubber bullets firing security personnel and the stone pelting angry protestors which erupted at Keishampat Thiyam Leikai Bus parking when the former used force to disperse a sit-in-protest demonstration at the bus parking at around 11 am today.

The eight women agitators are identified as president of Haoreibi Apunba meira paibi Lup Soram Sakyai, president of Heingang Meira Paibi Apunba Lup W Bormani, general secretary W Angoubi, advisor Th Angoubi, advisor Th Shakhi, members Memi, Pishakmacha and W Shama The confrontation lasted for almost one hour and vehicular traffic along the Tiddim Road was put on halt during that time.

A large number of protestors belonging to various organizations had gathered at the bus parking to stage the sit-in-protest demonstration.

The security personnel tried to prevent them from holding the demonstration as it was in violation of the restrictions imposed under 144 Cr PC.

As the protestors refused to budge from the site and continued their agitation, the security personnel swung into action and dispersed them by firing tear gas canisters and rubber bullets.

Undeterred by the police action, the protestors came back once again and resumed their stir raising slogans like ‘Remove Armed Forces Special Power Act’ and ‘Go Back Indian Army’, etc.

Reinforcement of security personnel were called in and more rubber bullets and tear gases were fired resulting in confrontation with the angry protestors and bystanders who retaliated with catapults and stone pelting.

While the confrontation was at its peak, eight women protestors managed to make a slip and rushed to the Gate of Chief Minister’s official bungalow and shouted slogans, banging the gate.

They were arrested by the security personnel deployed in and around the CM’s bungalow and later released at Koirengei Chingon.

At Thangmeiband Lilashing Khongnangkhong, hundreds of local meira paibis staged sit-in-protest from 9 am till 4 pm today.

The protestors denounced the atrocities committed by security personnel and demanded lifting of Armed Forces Special Power Act from Manipur.

At Uripok Naoremthong Keithel, around 500 womenfolk belonging to 20 different meira paibi lups of the area demonstrated a sit-in-protest.

The slogan shouting protestors also demanded the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State as well as resignation of all the 60 MLAs if they could not removed the Act by August 15 as deadline has been set.

The protestors bore the brunt of tear gas shells and rubber bullets fired by security personnel.

Women’s Social Reformation and Development Samaj, Khurai Angom Leikai in association with Apunba Meira Paibi Lup of Angom Leikai Mamang, Angom Laikai Mayai, Angom Leikai Maning today staged a sit-in-protest demonstration from 9 am to 4 pm demanding punishment of all the guilty Assam Rifles involved in the killing of Manorama.

Karam Apunba Meira Paibi Lup also staged a dharna at the office premises of the Lup yesterday from 10 am to 4 pm protesting against custodial death of Manorama.

Chanam Sandrok Meira Paibi Lup and Gamma Ray Club, Sandrok have also jointly organized a sit-in-protest demonstration at Sandrok Community hall on July 20.

Similar demonstration were also held at places like Kangabam Leikai, Langjing Achouba, Kongba, Heinoukhongnembi, Bramhapur Thangapat, Wangjing Khunou, etc.

Meanwhile, effigies of Chief Minister and Union Home Minister of State have been burnt by the people at different parts of the State.

At Tera, near Bless Academy School, protestors burnt the effigy of Union Home Minister for Home Affairs Prakash Jaiswal for going back on his words with regard to assurance given on lifting of Armed Forces Special Power Act from Manipur.

Volunteers of MSF and local Meira Paibis of Khwai Kongpal Tinsid Road set aflame effigies of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and Union MoS for Home Affairs Prakash Jaiswal at Khurai Kongpal, Tinsid Road Thongkhong this evening.

Effigies of Jaiswal have also been burnt by volunteers of Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), Thoubal District Committee at places like Yairipok, Phoudel, Tentha, Thoubal Athokpam and Lamding.