Manipur violence: Angry mob attempt to storm police stations over arrest of village volunteers, police resort to tear gas

In different valley areas, many women protestors attempted to storm their nearby police stations on September 21 demanding to release five arrested village defence volunteers by Manipur Police.

At around 1:30 PM, thousands of protestors gathered near Singjamei Police Station under Imphal West district. 

Putting their hands up, a mob from four directions marched towards Singjamei Police Station with the slogan “Arrest us if you are going to arrest all those village defence volunteers". 

However, Manipur Police and Rapid Action Force stopped them from entering the station from a distance of around 500 metres and resorted to teargas. 

A scuffle broke out between protestors and police. During the tussle, angry women protestors expressed their disappointment and dissatisfaction against the Manipur government for executing laws only for the Valley people and setting the armed miscreants allegedly belonging to the Kuki community free.

Also Read: Manipur: 48-hour bandh called over arrest of 5 people held for carrying weapons

Showing strong condemnation of the arrest of five village defence volunteers, they questioned of inability of the Manipur government to arrest any armed miscreants and rebel leaders. 

They even urged security personnel who were in the line of duty at the time of agitation not to disperse them using any kind of weapons like tear gas shells, smoke bombs etc. But later, security forces disperse them firing rounds of tear gas, and mob bombs.
 
All the protestors left the place but one protestor identified as Laishram Sanajaoba from Kakwa under Imphal West came out with no fear and was briefly detained by forces. 

Reasoning for coming out to the street despite security forces chasing them to go inside the house, Sanajaoba said that he is not really satisfied with the state government for not resolving the five-month-old crisis. 

People are unable to live peacefully. The government cannot do anything to people residing in hill areas and set them free. On the contrary, they only focus on controlling the valley region. “We are not scared to die thinking of our future generation. Despite having no weapon, we are ready to fight with our all might,” he said.

It may be mentioned that five village defence volunteers were arrested on September 16. Condemning the action of Manipur Police, 48 hours bandh was imposed demanding to release them. But they were not released. 

As per the resolution taken by Meira Paibi, clubs in valley areas, the protestors launched today’s intensive form of protest.