Cops foil rally against barbaric killing

IMPHAL, Mar 2 : An attempt to hold a public rally against the brutal murder of Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Th Kishan, Mondal Y Token and driver A Rajen was foiled by police at Bishnupur today. The mass protest rally was attempted urging for befitting punishment to guilty NSCN (IM) cadres involved in the gruesome cadre and also suspended DC Pankaj Kumar Pal.The abortive mass rally was planned under the joint aegis of the United Clubs’ Organisation Bishnupur District (UCOBID) and the Apunba Lup.At about 10 am, people started assembling at the Yangoi Ningthou community hall at Bishnupur Bazar. As final arrangements for the public rally got underway at about 11 am, a team of Bishnupur police commandos arrived at the spot and declared that no assembly of any crowd would be allowed without permission from the Deputy Commissioner.The police team also asked the Meira Paibis and local club volunteers who have already congregated there to go back. The commandos also took away the mats rolled out for the crowd and mikes arranged for the protest rally. They also stayed back at the area to thwart any further attempt from the people to assemble at the community hall. After turning back from there at the insistence of police commandos, the Meira Paibis and social activists congregated at Bishnupur Thiyam Leikai ground.From there, the protesters led by volunteers of the Apunba Lup, UCOBID and United Villages and Clubs Organisation marched towards Bishnupur Bazar to submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the Bishnupur DC. However, they were blocked by police commandos, some distance away from Bishnupur Bazar. The commandos also snatched the festoons carried by the protesters. Yet, some four/five volunteers were allowed to proceed to the DC office to hand over their memorandum.