THOUBAL, June 11: Supporters of the 24-hour Thoubal district bandh called against putting up of sign-boards inscribed Chandel inside Thoubal district, took down all such signboards appearing between Kakching Lamkhai and Pallel, here today.<\/p>\n
Around six four-wheelers were also damaged along Kakching to Pallel stretch of the Imphal-Moreh Highway.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, police also resorted to firing tear gas shells to ward off bandh supporters at several places. A bandh supporter was also injured in the police firing.<\/p>\n
Though the bandh failed to disturb other parts of the district, it largely affected the area from Kakching to Pallel.<\/p>\n
Kakching Bazar, Kakching Lamkhai Bazar and Pallel Bazar were closed for the day.<\/p>\n
Bandh supporters were witnessed coming out in droves since early morning and imposing road blocks at Kakching Lamkhai and Pallel.<\/p>\n
Around 11am, police tried to block bandh supporters from using loudspeakers for publicity, which resulted in a clash between the two groups.<\/p>\n
Police fired tear gas shells and smoke bombs to disperse the crowd of bandh supporters.<\/p>\n
Following the development, a huge contingent of the district police led by SP Radheshyam, addl SP Dr S Ibomcha and including SDPOs Kakching and Sugunu along with Kakching Municipal Council chairperson Ksh Subadani Devi and vice chairperson Y Nando arrived at the scene and spoke with the bandh supporters.<\/p>\n
Even as the negotiation was underway, bandh supporters attacked and damaged a passing car, which resulted in the police firing tear gas shells and smoke bombs for a second time.<\/p>\n
During the ensuing melee, Konsam Arunkumar, 36, son of (L) Achouba, of Sumak Leikai, Kakching was hit by a tear gas shell on his leg.<\/p>\n
He was rushed to the Jeevan Hospital Kakching, but was referred to Shija Hospital after his condition remained critical.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a press release of the Joint Non-Government Voluntary Organisation, Kakching has said in a press release said that certain new dwellers put up sign-boards written Chandel at places which is in Thoubal district.<\/p>\n
This had not only alarmed the public of the district, but also created a sense of disunity among the different communities, it said before adding that condemning such actions the bandh was called.<\/p>\n
It continued that a district is inhabited by different communities however, one cannot erect a signboard of another district just because he or she wants to.<\/p>\n
The organisation had appealed to all concerned including the State government to take down all such signboards, however, there had been no positive response from all concerned, it said.<\/p>\n
The statement further continued that on June 4, the organisation had even set a June 10 deadline for the State to take down all such signboards.<\/p>\n
It is unfortunate that in such a juncture, around 200\/300 individuals claiming themselves to be members of the All Laiching Village Authority Action Committee had devastated tree plantation at the Kakching Mamangching on May 21.<\/p>\n
The government has however, continued to remain silent on the issue without trying to bring an amicable solution between the two groups, it said.<\/p>\n
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