As many as 29 women were injured as troops of Assam Rifles baton-charged to scare away a large number of people storming a camp of 33 Assam Rifles at Lilong in Thoubal district of Manipur demanding the release of four youths detained by the troops.
Reports said that troops of 33 Assam Rifles on frisking and checking duty along NH-102 detained four youths who were returning home after taking part in guarding a village on June 19 evening.
On hearing the news, a large number of womenfolk from various localities protested on the street along the Imphal-Moreh section of NH-102 at Usoipokpi area of Thoubal district on June 19 night, around 8 pm.
They demanded immediate and unconditional release of the four youths.
Failure on the part of Assam Rifles to release the youths, the womenfolk proceeded toward Lilong and stormed the 33 Assam Rifles camp located near the Lilong police station demanding immediate release of the detained youths.
The womenfolk continued to protest at the gate of the AR camp till late night.
Failure to disperse them despite repeated warning till around 3 pm of June 20, the Assam Rifles troopers resorted to baton-charge.
Despite the action of the troops, the womenfolk refused to retreat and continued to protest by blocking the highway.
In the melee, as many as 29 women were injured. They were rushed to the Thoubal district hospital for medical treatment.
Among them, one identified as Th Pakpi (43) who sustained critical head injuries has been shifted to RIMS hospital, Imphal for further treatment.
The womenfolk retreated from the area only after the Assam Rifles handed over the four youths to the Lilong police to release them.
