Manipur Protest: Thousands of people took to the streets across Manipur’s five valley districts (Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching) on Friday evening to protest continued killings and the government’s alleged failure to restore normalcy in the state. Protesters banged utensils, beat drums, hit electric poles with hammers and honked vehicle horns to express their anger.

According to news agency PTI, the demonstration took place between 7.30 pm and 8 pm following a call by the Federation of Haomee, a civil society organisation. Many protesters marched towards Kangla, the historic political and cultural centre of the former Manipur kingdom, near Lok Bhavan and the Chief Minister’s Secretariat. Police fired tear gas shells near Lok Bhavan to disperse the crowd. No injuries or violence were reported.

Protesters Attempt To Reach Kangla

While several protesters were stopped by security forces at Palace Compound, Moirangkhom and Keisampat junctions, hundreds of people managed to reach the Kangla gate. Security personnel tried to stop them from entering the fort premises, but the protesters continued their demonstration. The area is located just a few metres from Lok Bhavan and the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

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Tear Gas Fired

According to reports, police later fired several tear gas shells to disperse protesters gathered near Lok Bhavan. Barricades were also put up in the area after 8 pm. During the protest, the lights in parts of the capital were switched off for around 10 minutes at about 7.50 pm.

Protesters Say Govt Ignored Their Demands

Several protesters said they were making noise to draw the attention of leaders to their concerns. One protester said people had been raising several demands for a long time, but their concerns had not been heard. “We are making these sounds to make the leaders hear our pain. For so long, we have been pleading with them over multiple demands, but they have turned a blind eye. That is why we responded to the call for the protest today,” the protester said as quoted by PTI.

Another Arrest In Thoubal Clash Case

Meanwhile, in a separate development, Manipur Police arrested a third person for allegedly taking part in a clash between two communities in Thoubal district last Sunday. One person was killed during the clash. The accused was produced before a local court on Thursday which sent him to 10 days of police custody.

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