At Lilong in a major clash with forces 29 Meira Paibis injured

Manipur: On Monday, 29 Meira Paibis were injured in a major clash with security forces in Lilong after a team of 33 Assam Rifles arrested four defense volunteers from Meitei village.
According to sources, the four volunteers were arrested by the AR team on National Highway No. 2, Imphal Moreh Road during checking at Lilong AR post around 2 pm. He was traveling from Imphal to Thoubal on Tata Safari registration number AS 01 BH 4431. Sources further said that a 51mm mortar has also been seized from them.
The four volunteers are NG Santa Meitei, 45, son of the late NG Krishna Meetei, Abujam Noaba, 30, Abujam Ibomcha, 46, Haorambam Ranjit, 46, son of H. Zilla, all of Keibi Lousangkhong Awang Leikai, Imphal East and Robindro 47, Babu Keithel, son of Mutum Tomba of Thoubal District.
According to sources, angry women from Thoubal Haokha, Babu Keithel, Kiyam Siphai and Khong Ahanbi stormed the Lilong AR post around 10 pm on Monday night, demanding the unconditional release of the four volunteers. Meira Paibis stayed up all night waiting for her release.
Police reports further stated that they were handed over to Lilong Police Station along with the seized weapon around 3.30 am on Tuesday.
Meira Paibis, who was on vigil, again stormed the gate of Lilong Police Station and demanded her release. The police fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, during which 29 women were injured. The injured are being treated at Noor Hospital, Lilong and Thoubal District Hospital.
In response to this news, women protested by blocking roads in Thoubal Babu Keithel and Thoubal Haokha. After the four volunteers were released at 8.30 am on Tuesday, the protests eased.
They were released on bail after lodging an FIR under Section 34 PIC and 25 (1) Arms Act at Lilong police station, sources said.
Protesting against AR, women shopkeepers of Wangjing Lamding keithel staged a demonstration on the national highway and raised various slogans including ‘Go Back AR’, ‘We condemn violence against women and demand the arrest of Kuki militants’.
A protester condemned the arrest of village defense volunteers and demanded that such untoward acts should not be carried out in future.

Meanwhile, a protest dharna was also held by women in Thoubal Babu Keithel condemning the incident.