A LARGE number of protesters demonstrating against the recent killing of three Meitei men in Manipur on Wednesday clashed with the police outside a sports complex in Imphal when Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh was attending an event inside, an officer said. Militants ambushed 14 Meitei men, killing three of them, when they were collecting firewood in Sunurok hills in Kangpokpi district on October 19. Women protesters attempted to storm the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, where the CM and state Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam were attending the first Manipur Poomsae Taekwondo Championship. Delegates from South Korea were participating in the event. The protesters asserted that the Chief Minister and Home Minister cannot attend a sports event by ignoring the prevailing law and order situation when innocent people were being killed. Police fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the demonstrators, leading to minor injuries to three persons.

 

At Khabeisoi in Imphal East district, protesters burnt effigies of Rajya Sabha MP A Sharda Devi and Konthoujam in another demonstration against the killings. Several Meira Paibi (woman activists) also gathered at the residence of Sharda Devi at Brahmapur in Imphal East district to question her “silence” on the killings. They later left the place after Devi assured them, through a video call, that their demands would be conveyed to the government. Normal life remained affected in all five Imphal Valley districts as markets were closed and public transport off the roads due to a 48-hour shutdown called by the Native People Committee Manipur from Tuesday midnight against the killings. Manipur DGP visits violence-hit Kamjong, reviews security scenario:MANIPUR DGP Mukesh Singh on Wednesday visited Kamjong district to strengthen coordination among security forces and facilitate normalcy between the Naga and Kuki communities, officials said. Singh, accompanied by senior officials, interacted with the police personnel of the district and discussed the prevailing law and order situation, they said. Polls in 5 states: EC team in Manipur to review preparedness:A TEAM of senior officials from the Election Commission is currently in Manipur to oversee preparations for the upcoming Assembly polls.

 

The commission plans to hold elections in Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Goa “early next year.” Teams led by senior deputy election commissioners are visiting the poll-bound states, followed by visits from the full commission before the election schedule is announced. Election Commission officials have already visited Uttarakhand, and a review visit to Punjab is scheduled for October 28. Although a field visit to Goa was also planned, the dates for that tour are being rescheduled. There has been no information yet on the officers’ visit to Uttar Pradesh, which will elect 403 MLAs.

 

 

IMPHAL,

 

 

SEVERAL houses were set on fire in an abandoned village in Manipur’s Kamjong district on Wednesday morning, triggering fresh tensions. Khoikai Kuki village, located near Chassad village, was set ablaze by suspected militants around 5.30 am, police said. The village had been deserted after residents fled amid escalating clashes between the Kuki and Naga communities, they said.