At least 10 people, including three security personnel, were injured in Imphal West on Thursday when security forces tried to disperse a protest rally organised to seek justice for six Naga tribals allegedly abducted and killed by suspected Kuki militants.
Tension escalated when the security forces attempted to block the rally and disperse people. The council also demanded an impartial investigation into the incident and the identification and prosecution of those responsible for the alleged killings and the injuries sustained during Thursday’s protest. Police officers said that while hundreds of protesters from the Naga and Meitei communities staged a sit-in at Namdilong Naga village in Imphal West district, another group under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC), the apex Naga body, took out a rally along National Highway-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) from Kanglatongbi Bazar towards Namdilong Naga village, demanding justice for the six Nagas.
“To control the protesters, security forces assorted to several tear gas shells and mock bombs, in retaliation protesters also pelted stones and shot slingshots towards security forces,” a police officer said.
The Manipur government handed over the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and as part of the investigation, the agency has arrested four individuals, including a couple, in two separate operations. All four are residents of Leilon Vaiphei village, where the Nagas were allegedly abducted.
