Four injured in police action during Manipur bandh

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh left for Delhi to meet Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde for the arrest of self-styled NSCN(IM) Lt Col Livingstone Anal, who allegedly molested film actress Momoko while she was compering a song competition at Chandel on December 18, official sources said.

The sources said the police burst tear gas shells and fired rubber bullets at Sagolband area near here when bandh supporters turned violent, injuring four persons including a woman.

They said supporters of the strike, called by the Manipur Film Forum (MFF), pelted stones at vehicles and damaged a police van in Imphal.

Tyres were burnt, blocking roads at many places in East and West Imphal districts, with bandh supporters not allowing people out of their houses, they said.

All shops, markets, business establishments and entertainment houses remained closed while transport services were cancelled.

The decision to call the bandh was taken last evening in protest against the administration not taking steps to arrest the NSCN(IM) militant.

Official reports from the districts particularly in the valley said police forces were deployed at various points as bandh supporters demanded immediate arrest of the militant.

The sources said NSCN-IM members could not be arrested as the outfit was engaged in peace talks with the Centre after signing a ceasefire agreement about 14 years ago although it was in force only in Nagaland.

Several social organisations contested this saying NSCN-IM cadres could be arrested and it was not necessary to seek permission from the Union Home ministry since the ceasefire was not in force in Manipur.

Human rights activist and senior advocate Khaidem Mani said the militant had committed the crime publicly and wondered how Assam Rifles and police personnel remained a mute spectator.

Official sources confirmed that Manipur police and Assam Rifles personnel were present at the time of the incident, but refused to comment on why they did not arrest the NSCN-IM militant immediately.