Newmai News Network
Imphal: Normal vehicular movement along Imphal-Moreh section of NH-102 was hit on Wednesday after residents of Khongjom area of Thoubal district imposed a blockade on the highway.
The residents were protesting against the arrest of two village volunteers of the area by the troops of Assam Rifles from Sora Market in Kakching district on Tuesday evening.
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Reports said that the two village volunteers engaged in defending Langathel, a village in the fringe of Kakching district adjoining Chandel district were picked up by the troops of Assam Rifles who came in civilian attire.
On hearing the news of the picking up of the two village volunteers, residents of the Khongjom area came out on the street along NH-102 spontaneously and imposed the blockade from last night in protest against the arrest.
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They demanded unconditional and immediate release of the two village volunteers while decrying the action of the paramilitary forces targeting the youths who came out to protect the settlement areas in the fringe of the valley from attacks by the armed miscreants who descended from the nearby hills.
Teams of Thoubal district police who rushed to the site tried to convince the protesters while assuring them to look into their demand after they were produced in the relevant court.
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With the blockade continuing to disturb normal vehicular movement, the police resorted to firing tear gas shells and mock bombs to disperse the residents and resume normal vehicular movement.
There were no reports of protesters inflicting injuries in the police action.
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