Manipur: Protest seeking justice for conflict victims turns violent, police use tear gas

Tension prevailed at Khwairamband Ima Keithel in Imphal on Sunday, September 6 after a protest demanding justice for people killed and missing during the ongoing conflict in Manipur turned tense, with police using tear gas to disperse demonstrators who attempted to take out a rally.

The demonstration was jointly organised by women vendors of Khwairamband Ima Market, the Joint Tribe Council of Coordination Committee Imphal Area and the Save Indigenous People of Manipur. Women from various Naga tribes also participated in the protest.

The protesters sought to march from the market area, but security personnel stopped them after they had proceeded a short distance. A section of protesters, however, changed direction and continued towards the Nagamapal route, following which security forces fired several rounds of tear gas to disperse them.

The demonstration was held with the ongoing session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly nearing its conclusion. Protesters urged the government to take decisive action on issues arising from the prolonged violence in the state before the session ends.

Among their demands was justice for indigenous Meitei and Naga people who have been killed or gone missing during the conflict. The protesters also called for a concrete decision on the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state before the Census and demanded abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.

The protesters urged the government to address the issues before the Assembly session concludes on Monday, warning that continued inaction could further increase public resentment.

The demonstration comes amid continuing demands from various sections of society for accountability, rehabilitation and political measures to address the consequences of the conflict in Manipur.