Imphal, July 29 (NNN): A 24-hour state wide "public curfew" has been called by the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) beginning Friday midnight to protest against alleged police “excesses” meted out to public. Police went berserk and dispersed a public meeting organised by a 'JAC against declaration of wanted tag against Ratan Khomdram,' former convenor of JCILPS which has been intensifying ILP stir. Large number of police personnel pulled down a makeshift hall arranged for the meeting at Singjamei Thongkhong here. A skirmish broke out between the organisers, mostly school students, and the police. Womenfolk of the area intervened and helped bring the situation under control. The police threw everything used in the makeshift hall into Imphal river after completely demolishing it at the site. Irked by the incident, the Joint Committee announced the public curfew during a press meet at its office. Joint Committee convenor BK Moirangcha condemned the "suppression" unleashed by the police. He blamed the state government for the "excesses" committed by the police. "The incident for which the government should be held responsible was a challenge to the public," Moirangcha said.
