Imphal, March 10: Several people including policemen were injured after a protest rally against the declaration of some parts of Manipur as protected areas turned violent and security forces had to use force to combat the mob in the Kangpokpi district on Friday.

Large number of protesters had gathered at the Thomas ground of the Kangpokpi town. They had taken part in the protest rally organised by the Kuki civil society organisations under the banners of the Kuki Inpi Manipur.

The protest was against the alleged ‘injustice’ of the state government against the land rights of the tribal people.

They are against the decision of the state government to declare parts of the state, especially the hill areas, as Reserved Forest areas as well as the wetlands. Following the declaration, the state government moved towards forceful eviction and demolition of property without making any arrangements for the rehabilitation as well as resettlement of all the families affected by these eviction measures. Similar protests were reportedly carried out in other districts of the state as well on Friday, but were peaceful.

According to police sources, since section 144 of CrPC was in place, the police stopped the protesting public near the Thomas Ground in the locality. Soon there was pitch battle between protesters and security forces in which several people including protesters and policemen were injured.