Violent Protests In Kangpokpi Over Detention Of Six Kukis
Protesters blocked roads and clashed with security forces after six Kuki village volunteers were allegedly detained.
Guwahati: Fresh unrest gripped parts of Manipur’s Kangpokpi district late Saturday night over the alleged detention of six villagers by security forces, with members of the Kuki community staging violent demonstrations.
The agitation began around 10 pm in Motbung and adjoining areas and continued until about midnight. Protesters set tyres ablaze on the roads, hurled stones at government vehicles and used heavy construction machinery to dig up stretches of National Highway-2 (Imphal–Dimapur) in an apparent bid to block the movement of security personnel.
Security sources said that the six persons, described as village volunteers from Kholen, were taken into custody by the security forces without any explanation being provided. Kholen lies close to the Naga-dominated Chawangkining village, which has witnessed recent attacks by armed miscreants, heightening local tensions.
However, soon after violence broke out, the security forces responded by firing several rounds of teargas shells to disperse the crowd. A few demonstrators sustained injuries during the clashes and were admitted to a local hospital for treatment.
Security sources also clarified that the detained village volunteers were subsequently released by the security forces. Once this was informed to the agitators, the protests subsided.
The situation in the area has since returned to normal, officials said.
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of the Kuki community, condemned the “detentions” by the security forces.
In a statement, KIM accused authorities of failing to take adequate action against those responsible for the killing of Kuki women by armed miscreants while detaining local civilians.
KIM described the detention as a "serious failure of law enforcement" and called for immediate action and accountability.
It also alleged that security forces used force against civilians who were peacefully protesting for their rights and security.
It also claimed that live rounds were fired and vehicles were vandalised during the incident.
Meanwhile, a 21-year-old woman, who sustained gun injuries during a recent attack by armed miscreants, died in Churachandpur district on Sunday, officials said. Nei Esther Gangte died at the district hospital in Churachandpur after battling critical injuries for 7 days.
On September 13, unidentified gunmen allegedly killed two people, including a woman, at Longpi village under the Nungba police station in Noney district.
Esther was later found with gunshot injuries following the attack and was taken to the district hospital for treatment, officials said.
The Kuki Human Rights Council condemned Esther's death and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible.
Chief minister Y. Khemchand Singh had earlier condemned the killing of the two people at Longpi.
"Such cowardly acts of violence against innocent civilians are unacceptable and have no place in our society," he had said.
