Tension Continues To Rock Manipur, 6 Including 3 CRPF Personnel Injured

Guwahati: Amid the state government’s ongoing bid to restore peace and harmony among communities, civil society groups—members of Meira Paibis (a collective group of Meitei women) and several other civic organizations have called for a complete lockdown of the Imphal valley for five days from Sunday midnight.

The call was made a day after six people, including three women Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, were injured following a clash between protesters and security forces during a torch rally in Manipur’s Thangmeiband district in Imphal on Saturday.

Reporting that a large number of protesters were marching towards Khwairamband Ima market and were blocked at many points, security sources said that clashes broke out in Thangmeiband, Sagolband and Uripok areas of Imphal West. Security forces fired tear gas grenades, fake bombs, rubber bullets and live bullets to control protesters, who retaliated by throwing stones and using slingshots.

Police said at least six persons, including three CRPF personnel (Ritika Kumari, Santosh Kumari and Sancita Indra), were injured and were shifted to the nearby medical centre.

Significantly, a series of torchlight rallies were organized by the All Manipur United Clubs Organization (AMUCO) and the Coordination Committee of Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) in the Imphal valley to protest the April 7 bomb attack at Tronglaobi in Bishnupur district, which claimed the lives of two children. One of the protests turned violent and three protesters were killed during CRPF firing at Gelmol village in Kuki-Zo-dominated Churachandpur.

While tension continues in the Imfal valley regions, 2 innocent civilians lost their lives in the attack carried out by militants in TM Kasom village of Ukhrul district on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Manipur chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh condemned the incident, stating that police have registered a case at Litan Police Station and investigation is on. He assured that the case would be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further investigation. He expressed his condolences to the deceased families and shared their pain. He submitted that such targeted attacks were a direct attack on peace and social harmony in the State.

(EOM)