Fresh violence, protests deepen crisis in India’s volatile Manipur
New Delhi: Fresh violence and protests have deepened concerns over the situation and growing unrest in India’s volatile northeastern state of Manipur, with two villagers killed and several others injured in an armed attack and police using tear gas to disperse protesters.
According to KashmirMediaService, suspected cadres of the NSCN-IM and ZUF-K attacked N Teikhang Kuki village in Kangpokpi district on Monday morning, killing two villagers and injuring two others in a firing incident.
The attack took place at around 9:30 am under the T Waichong sub-division along the IT Road corridor.
The armed assailants opened fire on villagers and set several houses ablaze, triggering fresh concerns over the safety of civilian settlements in the area.
Meanwhile, tensions also escalated in Kakching district after police used tear gas to disperse a torch rally protesting the proposed census exercise and demanding implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before any census-related process.
A large number of protesters participated in the rally, raising slogans of “No NRC, No Census” and demanding that the census be deferred until internally displaced persons (IDPs) are resettled.
Police intercepted the protesters near Keirak Dam as they attempted to march towards the Kakching district headquarters. The situation turned violent, prompting police to fire several tear gas shells. At least seven protesters, including four women, were detained and later released, according to reports.
The rally was organised by the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation, which has been holding similar night torch rallies across Manipur.
The organisation has announced further agitation and threatened a general strike from midnight on August 31 if the Indian government fails to issue an official statement on deferment of the census.
The campaign has also announced plans for a march on the final day of the upcoming Manipur Legislative Assembly session.
The latest incidents underscore the continuing instability in Manipur, where disputes over security, displacement, demographic changes and the delimitation process continue to fuel tensions and raise serious concerns over the protection and rehabilitation of civilians.
