IMPHAL: A crowd attempted to surround a Manipur police station complex on Wednesday, demanding access to firearms. Officials claimed that authorities responded by firing multiple warning shots into the air and revoking curfew relaxations in two districts with immediate effect.
A group tried to encircle the first Manipur Riflescomplex, located near Raj Bhavan and the chief minister’s office in Imphal West district, where they were demanding weapons.Security forces had to resort to firing warning shots to disperse the mob.
The Manipur government removed the daily curfew relaxation, which was previously in effect from 5 am to 10 pm, in Imphal East and West districts due to deteriorating law and order conditions.
Tensions had been escalating in the state capital following the fatal shooting of a sub-divisional police officer in Moreh town on Tuesday morning. In a separate incident, three police personnel sustained gunshot wounds when militants ambushed a convoy of the state force in Sinam, Tengnoupal district. The convoy had been dispatched to Moreh as reinforcement for conducting operations.
Manipur has been plagued by recurrent episodes of violence since ethnic clashes initially erupted in May, resulting in more than 180 fatalities. These clashes have arisen from various grievances on both sides, with a primary trigger being the attempt to grant Meiteis scheduled tribe status, a move that has since been reversed, along with efforts to evict tribals residing in protected forest areas.
Meiteis make up approximately 53 percent of Manipur’s population, while tribals including Nagas and Kukis, account for 40 percent and mainly reside in the hill districts.
A group tried to encircle the first Manipur Riflescomplex, located near Raj Bhavan and the chief minister’s office in Imphal West district, where they were demanding weapons.Security forces had to resort to firing warning shots to disperse the mob.
The Manipur government removed the daily curfew relaxation, which was previously in effect from 5 am to 10 pm, in Imphal East and West districts due to deteriorating law and order conditions.
Tensions had been escalating in the state capital following the fatal shooting of a sub-divisional police officer in Moreh town on Tuesday morning. In a separate incident, three police personnel sustained gunshot wounds when militants ambushed a convoy of the state force in Sinam, Tengnoupal district. The convoy had been dispatched to Moreh as reinforcement for conducting operations.
Manipur has been plagued by recurrent episodes of violence since ethnic clashes initially erupted in May, resulting in more than 180 fatalities. These clashes have arisen from various grievances on both sides, with a primary trigger being the attempt to grant Meiteis scheduled tribe status, a move that has since been reversed, along with efforts to evict tribals residing in protected forest areas.
Meiteis make up approximately 53 percent of Manipur’s population, while tribals including Nagas and Kukis, account for 40 percent and mainly reside in the hill districts.
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