Manipur actress, allegedly molested, wants people to help in arrest of militant

Manipuri film actress Momoko on Monday appealed to the people of the valley and the hills to help the authorities in arresting the NSCN (IM) militant who allegedly molested her on December 18 in Chandel district.

Speaking to reporters here, she said supporters of the ongoing general strike were not against the hill people or the celebration of Christmas, "but we want action against Livingstone Anal."

Narrating the incident of December 18 in Chandel, Momoko said she and her party were invited by a local women's society to help in a fund raising drive.

During the concert, Anal, who she said, did not respect women, touched her at which she protested.

"His behaviour was beastly and intolerable," she said.

Hundreds defy curfew in Manipur

The police used teargas and smoke bombs as hundreds of protestors defied curfew clamped on Monday on the entire Manipur valley to demand the arrest of a Naga militant who had allegedly molested film actress Momoko and to protest the death of a photojournalist.

The protestors took out rallies, blocked roads and burnt tyres in Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishenpur and Thoubal districts, official sources said.

Earlier, protestors hit the streets as soon as the 16-hour curfew clamped in Imphal East and Imphal West districts from 2:00 pm yesterday ended this morning, the sources said.

The police fired smoke bombs and teargas at Thangmeiband area, near here, where photojournalist Thangjam Nanao Singh was killed in police firing yesterday, they said.

The protestors shouted slogans against the killing and demanded a judicial enquiry and punishment for the policemen responsible.

A spokesman of the Kangleipak Students Organisation also demanded an inquiry into yesterday's police firing.

Police fired teargas shells at Irilbung on the outskirts of the city, Khuyathong, Sagolband, Wangkhei, Nongmeibung and other places, they said.

At Nagamapal area here and some other places on the periphery of the city, hundreds of people defied curfew and took out rallies to demand arrest of the militant who was reported to be hiding in the jungles in Chandel district, the sources said.

At Sinam Leikai area near here, a bus which was to transport people to Ukhrul hill district to enable them to celebrate Christmas was set ablaze, they said.

At Tharoijam area, the protestors set afire to a two wheeler after it attempted to pass through a road blockade with the rider managing to escape, police sources said.

Manipur govt declares militant 'wanted'

Manipur government declared as 'wanted' the NSCN(IM) militant, who had allegedly molested the actress.

According to a notice issued by the home department in the evening, Rs five lakh would be awarded to any person for information leading to the arrest of the militant Livingstone Anal.

Chandel police has also registered an FIR in connection with the December 18 alleged molestation of the actress Momoko by the militant, the notice said.

Earlier in the day, police used teargas and smoke bombs to disperse hundreds of protesters, who have defied the curfew clamped on the entire Manipur valley to demand arrest of the militant for molesting the actress in public during a musical concert at Chandel and to protest the death of a photojournalist yesterday.

The protesters took out rallies, blocked roads and burnt tyres in Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishenpur and Thoubal districts, official sources said.

They hit the streets as soon as the 16-hour curfew, clamped in Imphal East and Imphal West districts from 2 pm yesterday, ended this morning.

The police fired smoke bombs and teargas at Thangmeiband, near here, where photojournalist Thangjam Nanao Singh was killed in police firing on Sunday, they said.

The protesters shouted slogans against the killing and demanded a judicial enquiry and punishment for the policemen responsible.

A spokesman of the Kangleipak Students Organisation also demanded an inquiry into yesterday's police firing.