Manipur violence: 10 injured as mobs storm police stations demanding release of arrested youths
Imphal: More than ten people were injured in Imphal East and West district Thursday after security forces fired tear gas shells to disperse protesters who attempted to storm police stations demanding the immediate and unconditional release of five arrested youths.
As a precautionary measure, the state government revoked the curfew relaxations in the twin districts of Imphal from 5 pm.
Responding to a call from six local clubs and Meira Paibis demanding the release of the five village volunteers, hundreds of demonstrators with placards and chanting slogans made attempts to enter the Porompat police station in Imphal East, as well as the Singjamei police station and Kwakeithel police outpost in the Imphal West district.
The police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel stationed at strategic locations discharged multiple rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.
“We had no choice but to court arrest since the government failed to release the five village volunteers. If such village volunteers are detained, who will safeguard the Meitei villages in the vicinity of the hills and the valley from Kuki Zo militants,” one of the protestors was quoted as saying by PTI.
Similar attempts to enter the Mayang Imphal police station in the Imphal West district and the Andro police station in Imphal East district were also reported.
On September 16, the Manipur Police arrested five persons for carrying sophisticated weapons and wearing camouflage uniforms. According to a police statement, the five accused were presented before a judicial magistrate and sent to police custody.
In the evening, the state government cancelled the curfew relaxation in the twin districts of Imphal due to the outbreak of violence.
“The curfew hours, which were relaxed from 5 am to 9 pm on September 21, have been withdrawn with effect from 5 pm, and restrictions on the movement of the general public outside their residences are in force in all areas of Imphal West district,” an official order said. Similar orders were also enforced in the Imphal East district.
