Fresh Violence Erupts in Manipur as Protesters Clash with Police

The northeastern Indian state of Manipur witnessed a fresh wave of unrest on Saturday as massive protests in the capital, Imphal, turned into violent confrontations between demonstrators and security forces. According to medical sources and local reports, at least 30 people sustained injuries during the clashes. The protesters, led by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), were demanding government accountability and a judicial inquiry into the persistent violence that has plagued the region for nearly three years.

The demonstration began around 1:00 PM local time on Saturday, with thousands of participants gathering from eight different locations across the city. The primary objective of the march was to reach the official residence of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh to submit a memorandum outlining several critical demands. However, as the crowd converged toward the city center, they were met with heavy resistance from the Manipur Police and central security forces.

Clashes intensified near the central Imphal overbridge when protesters attempted to breach security barricades. To control the surging crowd, police personnel deployed multiple rounds of tear gas shells and used batons to push back the demonstrators. The situation rapidly deteriorated, causing panic in busy commercial hubs like the traditional Ima Keithel market and the Alu Gali area. Several protesters were seen being carried away by volunteers after collapsing from the effects of tear gas or sustaining injuries during the melee.

The demands put forth by COCOMI reflect the deepening frustration among the local population. They are calling for an immediate end to the "Suspension of Operations" (SoO) agreement between the central government and Kuki militant groups, alleging that the pact has failed to prevent targeted attacks. Additionally, the protesters are seeking the rehabilitation of thousands of internally displaced persons and a transparent investigation into the narco-terrorism allegations that have often surfaced during the conflict.

Responding to the day‍‍`s events, State Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam stated that the government had invited the leaders of the protest for dialogue on several occasions. He claimed that the organizers chose to proceed with the street march despite the government’s openness to discussion. The minister emphasized that while the administration respects the right to peaceful protest, the escalation into violence remains a major concern for public safety and law and order.

The ongoing crisis in Manipur originated in May 2023, sparked by deep-seated ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities. Since the start of the conflict, more than 260 people have been killed, and over 60,000 individuals have been forced to flee their homes, living in makeshift relief camps. While there were periods of relative calm, the events of this Saturday demonstrate that the underlying issues remain unresolved. The heavy deployment of security forces continues across Imphal as authorities attempt to prevent further escalations in what remains one of India‍‍`s most volatile regions.