As many as 29 meira paibis were injured in a major scuffle with security forces at Lilong after a team of 33 Assam Rifles apprehended four Meitei village defence volunteers on Monday.
As per sources, the four volunteers were arrested along the National Highway No 2, Imphal Moreh road by the AR team while checking at Lilong AR post around 2pm. They were on their way to Thoubal from Imphal on a Tata Safari bearing registration number AS 01 BH 4431. A 51 MM mortar was also seized from them, sources added.
The four volunteers are Ng Santa Meetei, 45, son of late Ng Krishna Meetei, Abujam Naoba, 30, son of Abujam Ibomcha, Haorambam Ranjit, 46, son of H Zilla, all from Keibi Lousangkhong Awang Leikai, Imphal East and Mutum Robindro, 47, son of Mutum Tomba of Babu Keithel, Thoubal district.
As per sources, irate women of Thoubal Haokha, Babu Keithel, Kiyam Siphai and Khong Ahanbi stormed the Lilong AR post at around 10pm on Monday, demanding the release of the four volunteers without any condition. The Meira Paibis were on vigil throughout the night waiting for their release.
Police reports further added that they were handed over to Lilong Police station along with the seized weapon in the wee hours of Tuesday at around 3.30am.
Meira Paibis who were on vigil again stormed the gate of Lilong Police station demanding their release. Police fired tear gas shells to disperse the mob during which 29 women sustained injuries. The injured are being treated at Noor Hospital, Lilong and Thoubal district hospital.
Retaliating to the news, womenfolk carried out agitation by blocking roads at Thoubal Babu keithel and Thoubal Haokha. The agitation got relaxed after the four volunteers were released on Tuesday morning at 8.30 am.
Sources said that they were released on bail after lodging an FIR at Lilong Police Station under section 34 PIC and 25 (1) Arms Act.
Protesting against the AR, women vendors of Wangjing Lamding keithel took out a demonstration on the national highway and chanted various slogans including ‘Go back AR’, ‘We condemn violence on women and demand arrest of Kuki militants’.
A protester condemned the arrest of village defence volunteers and demanded not to carry out such untoward acts in the future.
Meanwhile, a sit in protest was also staged at Thoubal Babu Keithel by the womenfolk condemning the incident.
