A day of chaos and violence in Imphal, Manipur, has left one person dead and 43 injured, including 17 security personnel, after clashes broke out in Kangpokpi district. The trouble began when a bus operated by the Manipur State Transport (MST) came under attack from a group of protesters, who pelted the vehicle with stones, forcing security forces to intervene. The situation quickly escalated, with protests spreading to other areas of the city, including National Highways, where large groups of people, including women and children, attempted to block the movement of security convoys and vehicles by felling trees, placing boulders, and burning tyres.
According to a statement released by the Manipur Police Control Room, the security forces faced gunfire from some of the protesters, which led to a retaliation from the authorities. “There were incidents of firing from amongst the protesters towards the security forces, in which the security forces retaliated,” the statement read. The police claimed that the security forces exercised “tremendous restraint” and used “minimal force” to control the situation. However, the statement also dismissed claims made by the Kuki Zo Council and the Kuki Students’ Organisation that the security forces were escorting the protesters, terming the allegations as “totally baseless and false”.
The violence is believed to have been sparked by protests against the Centre’s decision to grant free movement of citizens in the state from March 8. This move led to the government announcing a bus service operated by MST to facilitate public movement. On Saturday, several MST buses, along with LPG trucks and oil tankers, successfully completed their journeys along key routes without any obstacles. However, the situation took a turn for the worse when the MST bus travelling on the Imphal-Kangpokpi-Senapati route came under attack at Gamgiphai in Kangpokpi district, prompting the security forces to intervene with tear gas and “minimal force” to disperse the crowd.
As the situation remains tense, security forces continue to maintain a heightened vigil to prevent further escalation and ensure the movement of essential goods along key supply routes. The authorities are working to restore order and maintain public safety, while efforts are being made to ensure the effective distribution of essential goods and services to the affected areas.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/north-east/miscreants-among-protesters-fired-on-security-forces-in-kangpokpi-manipur-police-1570615
Category : North East,Featured
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Publish Date: 2025-03-09 16:50:00
