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.
Fresh unrest gripped parts of Manipur’s Kangpokpi district late on Saturday night as members of the Kuki community staged violent protests over the alleged detention of six villagers by security forces.
The agitation began around 10 pm in Motbung and adjoining areas and continued until about midnight. Protesters set tyres ablaze on roads, hurled stones at government vehicles and used heavy construction machinery to dig up stretches of National Highway-2 (Imphal-Dimapur), apparently to block the movement of security personnel.
Security sources said the six persons, described as village volunteers from Kholen, were taken into custody by security forces without any explanation being provided. Kholen is located near the Naga-dominated Chawangkining village, which has witnessed recent attacks by armed miscreants, heightening tensions in the area.
After the violence broke out, security forces fired several rounds of tear-gas shells to disperse the protesters. A few demonstrators sustained injuries during the clashes and were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Security sources later said the six village volunteers had been released. The protests subsided after demonstrators were informed of their release. The situation in the area has since returned to normal, officials said.
