Imphal, July 29: Over 100 protestors had to be rushed to JN Hospital and RIMS for treatment of rubber bullet wounds, tear gas shell firing bruises following the stampede during the mass protest rally organised from THAU ground today as part of the ongoing agitation to demand revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 in the wake of Th Manorama’s killing.

While about 126 persons were admitted at JN Hospital, Porompat over 30 were hospitalised at RIMS, Lamphel.

At JN hospital six doctors and a member of the Relief Committee were put on duty to supervise emergency cases.

Chaotic scenes prevailed at the Porompat hospital where the injured persons could not be accommodated at the casualty ward and had to be treated at the corridor near the casualty as well as on the floor near the adjacent wards.

Tents had to be erected outside.

Even as volunteers of relief committees at JN and RIMS hospitals had a torrid time in meeting the demands of the injured, two ambulance each of the hospitals and one provided by Shija Hospital and Research Institute were pressed into service to evacuate the injured persons from the skirmish sites.

Among the casualties are some elderly women who fainted during the police-agitator confrontations.

Police turn back protestors: Stringent security measures were adopted to thwart possible convergence of protestors at the Raj Bhavan gate, Chief Minister’s bungalow and the Kangla base of 9 Sector Assam Rifles headquarters in view of the mass public rally organised today to protest security force excesses and demand for lifting Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 from the State.

As part of the measures to prevent breach of security, barricades were put up and police personnel in adequate strength were deployed at strategic locations to check entry of protestors at restricted zones of the capital districts.

Protestors heading for THAU ground from Singjamei side were stopped at Moirangkhom oil outlet and diverted towards Keisamthong while vehicles carrying agitators along the Tiddim Line route were denied further passage from Keisampat traffic junction.

Entry restrictions were also imposed at Sanjengthong and at Khoyathong traffic point.

Due to heavy deployment of security personnel and erection of barricades normal commuters had a difficult time negotiating the road diversions which were adopted since the last few days but reinforced specially for today’s rally to prevent outbreak of violence at the restricted zones.

According to press sources the security measures were enhanced following previous attempts of MUSU members and other protestors to protest at the Raj Bhavan and CM’s residence.

Police also turned back a number of rallyists from other districts who had come to participate at the rally.

The protestors were turned back at Bishnupur, Thoubal and Lilong, said sources.