Indian forces fire teargas shells on protesters in Manipur
Imphal: Indian paramilitary and police personnel fired teargas shells on protesters in Manipur during a demonstration against the killing and missing of civilians amid the ongoing violence in the BJP-ruled state.
Tension prevailed in Imphal after people staged a protest demanding justice for those killed or missing during the prolonged violence in the state. The situation became tense after Indian paramilitary and police personnel fired tear gas on protesters at Khwairamband Ima Keithel in Imphal.
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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 forces personnel stopped them after they had proceeded a short distance and used brute force and tear gas to disperse them.
The demonstration was held as the ongoing session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly approached 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 violence. The protesters also called for a concrete decision on the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the violence hit state before the Census and demanded the 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.
