A major clash broke out between the police and locals of Sora in Thoubal district, Manipur as the protest against the construction of Mega Food Park at 44-Yaithibi Loukol turned violent, leaving two persons injured and a police outpost and two vehicles torched to cinders on Friday.
The protesting locals pelted stones and slingshots at the police, while the police opened fire in the air and countless rounds of teargas shells and threw mock bombs to disperse the protesting crowds and bring the situation under control, police said.
An enraged mob also torched a temporary police outpost constructed at Sora Chinglak and a two-wheeler vehicle of a commando mobile unit at around 8 am on Friday. Both the outpost and vehicle were reduced to cinders.
The locals raised allegations that the state government was attempting to grab lands in the name of constructing a Mega Food Park at 44-Yaithibi Loukol where a Masjid at Sora Ching Wangma and many houses will be affected.
The protesting locals have been blocking the Imphal-Moreh road at Sora area, along the National Highway 102, since Thursday.
Following the scuffle with police during a demarcation drive on Thursday, talks were held with government officials in the evening.
As per sources, an agreement was reached between the two sides and the locals had agreed to let the government officials conduct the demarcation.
However, as government officials with additional forces came on the following day with JCBs for the demarcation and started conducting excavation as well, locals resumed their protest, sources said.
During the confrontation with the police, one Md Jiya Khan, 30, son of late Abdullah of Sora Ching Wangma and Md Kefayatulla, 24, son of late Mv Nurullah, Sora Irengaband Lamkhai sustained injuries.
The clash, which began at 8 am, continued till 4.30 pm. Later, additional reinforcements were called in and the situation was brought under control.
Meanwhile, ‘International Human Rights Protection and Anti Corruption Bureau, India’ has issued an appeal not to forcefully take the lands of farmers and to amicably resolve the issue.
The organisation pointed out that Ramzan month is underway and Friday is also an auspicious day for Muslims. It further decried the disturbances caused upon the Muslims who were peacefully observing the occasion.
