Guwahati: A major clash broke out on Thursday between Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and security forces when police fired tear gas to disperse a protest march in Imphal East district of trouble-torn Manipur.
A mass rally organized by the Committee on Protection of Meetei Victims (COPMeV) in Singjamei’s Akampat area quickly escalated as demonstrators advocating for the rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) confronted the police.
The residents of the relief camp, carrying placards and banners, were demanding their rehabilitation and a resolution to the ongoing ethnic violence in the state. They sought to return to their homes in Moreh, Tengnoupal district, and other affected areas.
It is significant that the state government officially claimed that the ethnic violence in the state which started in May 2023 has so far claimed 226 lives and left over 59,000 people displaced.
The IDPs marched through the streets of Akampat, demanding urgent government intervention. Educational institutions in the Akampat area also bore the brunt of the escalating situation as school children took shelter in their classrooms.
Locals joined the protesters, throwing stones at security forces. The demonstration continued for about 1 kilometer before being halted at Singjamei in Imphal West district by additional security reinforcements, including CRPF personnel.
There have been reports of assaults and injuries, but the exact numbers are still unconfirmed.
During the protest, a journalist was also assaulted. Manipur journalists fraternity has strongly condemned the alleged assault on its members.
