Village Defence Force personnel during the protest rally organized in Imphal on July 28. (NNN Photo)
IMPHAL, JULY 28 (NNN): Defying CrPC 144 clamped in Imphal West district, thousands of Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel today carried out a protest rally at Tiddim Road (Airport Road) in Imphal demanding to increase their monthly salary and also to provide service security. The rally started at Changangei Community Hall and marched towards the Chief Minister’s official bungalow.
The police had a hard time attempting to foil the protest rally near Tiddim Ground, but the VDF personnel overpowered the police strength and tried to continue the rally. The police had to use tear gas shells to disperse the protestors but to no avail. The protestors pelted stones at the police.
Minutes later, there was another stand-off between the police and the protestors at Kwakeithel Junction. After tussling for a long period, some leaders of the protestors were allowed to meet the Director General of Police (DGP).
Speaking to media persons at protest site, Moirangthem Amuthoi, the vice president of All Manipur VDF Welfare Organisation, said that they requested the police to make a peaceful rally from Changangei Community Hall to Kwakeithel Junction. However, the police refused to their request, and hence, the trouble, according to Amuthoi
Amuthoi mentioned that VDF personnel started the cease work strike from July 11 as a mark of expressing their resentment but no positive response had come so far till date from the State government.
