The protestors, led by Meira Paibis, blocked several important roads in various districts of Imphal, including Khurai, Kongba, Kakwa, Nambol, and parts of Thoubal.(Image/News18)
Demonstrators, demanding the release of the youths, resorted to acts of civil disobedience, creating tension in the area
Protests demanding the release of five arrested youths in Manipur’s Imphal Valley escalated, leading to a 48-hour bandh that has severely affected normal life in the region.
Demonstrators, demanding the release of the youths, resorted to acts of civil disobedience, creating tension in the area.
Protesters set ablaze tires, obstructed roads using pipes and used Phanek garments, a traditional Meitei sarong commonly worn by women in Manipur, to block key thoroughfares.
In response to the growing agitation, law enforcement fired tear gas shells in an attempt to disperse the crowd, underscoring the tension surrounding the situation.
The protestors, led by Meira Paibis, blocked several important roads in various districts of Imphal, including Khurai, Kongba, Kakwa, Nambol, and parts of Thoubal. They are demanding the immediate release of the arrested youths.
The arrests were made during a police operation on September 16 when five individuals were apprehended for possessing sophisticated weaponry and wearing camouflage uniforms.
Yumnam Hitler, the president of the All Langthabal Kendra United Clubs Coordinating Committee, bolstered the call for the 48-hour bandh on September 18.
Hitler emphasized that the arrested individuals were civilians and not militants, describing them as village volunteers who took it upon themselves to protect their communities from perceived threats posed by Kuki Zo militants, especially in light of what they see as inadequacies in the security forces’ response.
Hitler made it clear that if the government did not pay heed to their demands for the unconditional release of the arrested youths, the protests would intensify, further escalating the situation in Imphal Valley.
On the other hand, an Imphal-based civil body barred popular Manipuri film actor Soma Laishram from acting and social functions for three years, sending shockwaves to the film fraternity of the strife-torn state.
The group, Kangleipak Kanba Lup (KKL) alleged Soma of taking part as a show stopper in a beauty pageant in New Delhi on Saturday despite a general appeal to the people and personal advice to her to desist from partaking in such programmes when Manipur is “still burning” for the last four months.
