Imphal, Sept 06: Hundreds of individuals on Wednesday defied the curfew in Manipur’s Bishnupur district and marched towards the heavily fortified security barricade, which has been strategically positioned between the Kuki-majority Churachandpur and Meitei-majority Bishnupur districts.
Security forces had to use tear gas and rubber bullets in an attempt to halt the advancing protesters, who were determined to reach the barricade, which resulted in injured to many. The injured were promptly transported to nearby hospitals for medical attention.
The state government had reimposed total curfew in the valley region, predominantly inhabited by the Meitei community, from Tuesday. This decision came in response to the call for protest march by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity, commonly known as COCOMI, towards the Kuki-Zomi tribe-dominated Churachandpur, on Wednesday.
The COCOMI, representing the Meitei community along with its women’s wing, organized the protest march with the aim of removing an Army barricade located at Phougakchao Ikhai in Bishnupur district, just a few kilometers from the tribal-dominated Churachandpur district.
Local residents have expressed their frustration over the Army barricade at Phougakchao Ikhai, which has prevented them from returning to their homes in Torbung, stating that they were compelled to vacate their residences following ethnic violence that erupted on May 3.
COCOMI had previously urged the government and relevant authorities to remove the barricade at Phougakchao Ikhai by August 30, but this deadline was not honoured.
Officials have imposed a strict curfew across all five valley districts, namely Bishnupur, Kakching, Thoubal, Imphal West, and Imphal East. To prevent further escalations, a significant contingent of security forces has been deployed throughout these districts since Tuesday evening.
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