IMPHAL, Nov 4 � The United Naga Council (UNC) sponsored three-day bandh turned violent on the first day today.
At least 10 persons, mostly women bandh supporters have been wounded while engaging in a scuffle with security forces at Noney along National Highway 37 in Tamenglong district of Manipur after three vehicles were set on fire by the agitators, on Friday.
The incident took place around 11.30 am when volunteers of UNC and All Naga Sudents� Association, Manipur (ANSAM), enforced a 72-hour total bandh in Naga areas in Manipur protesting against a MoU signed between the State Government and Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC) and set ablaze three goods loaded trucks and a vehicle belonging to State police commando personnel, who were escorting the trucks.
When the security personnel tried to prevent vandalism, a fight ignited with the bandh supporters. A large crowd gathered at the scene forcing the police to fire tear gas shells to disperse them. At least 10 people were injured in the police action, sources said.
The agitation, which started from last midnight, was launched by ANSAM and UNC four days after a MoU was signed between the State Government and SHDDC which suspended its 92-day- long economic blockade stir on October 31.
The furore over the agreement is largely because of the apprehension that the government is likely to concede the demand for Sadar Hills district formation. The Naga organisations are stoutly opposing the move, saying Naga areas in Sadar Hills should not be curved out to create Sadar Hills district.
