Manipur youth Congress protest against BJP stopped at Kangla Gate, president detained

A protest rally organised by the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee’s Youth Wing against the BJP was stopped at Kangla Gate in Imphal on October 16, triggering a scuffle between Congress workers and police personnel. 

Youth Congress president Anandh Wahengbam was taken into custody during the confrontation and remained in police custody at the time of filing this report.

The confrontation erupted after a group of Congress workers attempted to march towards the BJP headquarters in response to a BJP protest outside Congress Bhavan earlier in the day. BJP workers had demanded the resignation of Congress MP Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam over sexual harassment allegations involving female students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

Police personnel intercepted the Congress rally at Kangla Gate to prevent the protesters from proceeding towards the BJP headquarters. Tensions escalated as the protesters attempted to move forward, leading to a scuffle with the police.

Wahengbam was detained by City Police during the confrontation, while Congress workers also attempted to set fire to posters bearing the images of BJP state president A Sharda Devi, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among others.

The counter-protest followed the BJP’s demonstration outside Congress Bhavan, where party workers demanded action against Akoijam over the allegations.

Senior Congress spokesperson Hareshwar Goshswami criticised the BJP protest, alleging that it was an attempt to divert public attention from the killings and the broader crisis in Manipur.

The allegations against Akoijam have triggered political protests in the state. No finding of guilt has been established in the matter.