Violence erupted in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Saturday as clashes between Kuki demonstrators and security forces turned deadly, leaving one protester dead and at least 25 others injured, including women.
The deceased has been identified as 30-year-old Lalgouthang Singsit, who sustained bullet injuries during confrontations at Keithelmanbi and succumbed to his wounds while being transported to the hospital, police said. The injured protesters, who suffered various degrees of wounds, were taken to a nearby public health centre for treatment after the clashes spread to Gamgiphai, Motbung and Keithelmanbi.
Tensions flared when police fired tear gas to disperse the demonstrators, who were protesting against Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s directive permitting free movement across the state. The situation escalated as protesters torched private vehicles and attempted to block a state transport bus en route from Imphal to Senapati district.
Demonstrators also barricaded National Highway 2 (Imphal-Dimapur highway) by burning tyres to prevent government vehicles from passing through.
Adding to the unrest, the protesters opposed a peace march by the Federation of Civil Society (FOCS), a Meitei organisation. The march, which comprised more than 10 vehicles, was intercepted by security forces at Sekmai before reaching Kangpokpi.
Police stated that the march was stopped due to a lack of permission. “We are just following orders. We have been told to stop the march. If they want to proceed, they can use state buses arranged by the government,” an officer said. FOCS members, however, argued that their movement was in line with Shah’s directive.
Meanwhile, a video purportedly released by Kuki-Zo village volunteers from an undisclosed location denounced the Indian government’s free movement decision and reiterated their demand for a separate administration. The authenticity of the video could not be independently verified.
“Any attempt to enter our areas will be met with strong resistance. No free movement before separate administration,” a volunteer declared in the footage.
(With inputs from PTI)