Manipur: Fresh tension grips Imphal as protests erupt over deaths in Haraothel village

The city of Imphal was engulfed in fresh tension on June 29  night as thousands of people took to the streets to decry the tragic deaths of two individuals at Haraothel village, near the border with Kangpokpi district. The lifeless body of one of the deceased was brought to Khwairamband women market, attracting a large gathering of mourners from various parts of Imphal.

Also Read: Manipur Violence Update: 1 dead, 2 injured during fresh firing by armed miscreants in Kangpokpi, say reports

Amidst the outpouring of grief, emotions ran high, with women leading the charge in expressing their dissatisfaction with the Biren Singh government's alleged failure to prevent such violence. Chanting slogans against the state government, they questioned why Prime Minister Modi remained silent in the face of these incidents.

"Manipur government has failed its people. We will not be silent spectators any longer. We are ready to take action, with or without Biren," declared a determined woman protester, capturing the sentiments of the crowd. Another participant voiced concerns over the Prime Minister's silence, particularly when the lives of their children were at stake.

As the crowd swelled in numbers, a significant contingent of police and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were deployed to maintain order and prevent any untoward incidents. The authorities attempted to reason with the protesters, urging them to allow the respectful handling of the deceased individuals' remains. However, tensions escalated, leading to a confrontational situation between the demonstrators and security forces.

In response to the protesters' resistance, tear gas was deployed by the security personnel to disperse the crowd. However, the demonstrators retaliated, resorting to stone-throwing and the use of catapults. A similar clash between protesters and security forces occurred at Keishampat. As of the filing of this report, tear gas shelling continues in an effort to restore calm and order to the area. 

Also Read: Manipur violence: Fresh incident of firing reported early morning in state's Kangpokpi district