Manipur Protesters Clash With Police Near Kangla Fort
Coordinated sound protests and marches across five valley districts demand an end to killings, resolution of the ethnic conflict and restoration of normalcy.
- Thousands join coordinated protests across five districts
- Police fire tear gas near Kangla Fort
- Protesters demand peace and restoration of normalcy
- NRC and SoO agreement feature in demands
GG News Bureau
Imphal, 24th Oct: Thousands of people across Manipur’s five valley districts staged coordinated sound protests and marches on Friday evening, expressing anger over continued killings, the prolonged ethnic conflict and the lack of a lasting return to normalcy.
The demonstrations turned tense near Kangla Fort in Imphal, where police fired tear gas shells and erected barricades on the road leading to Raj Bhavan. The high-security zone is located around 300 metres from the fort’s western gate, where a large gathering of protesters had assembled. No injuries were reported.
Responding to a call by the Federation of Haomee, residents participated in the demonstrations between 7:30 pm and 8 pm. People clanged utensils, beat drums, sounded vehicle horns and sirens, struck electric poles with hammers and raised slogans against the government. The coordinated protest reverberated across neighbourhoods in all five valley districts.
Kangla Fort, a historic centre of Manipur’s political and cultural heritage, became the main gathering point. As the number of protesters increased, police tightened security and placed barricades along the route towards Raj Bhavan. Tear gas was subsequently used to disperse the gathering and prevent further escalation.
The Federation of Haomee described the demonstration as an “ultimate call for awakening”, urging people to collectively raise their voices against continued violence and the failure to restore normalcy.
Protesters also raised political and security-related demands, including the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), identification of alleged illegal immigrants and abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with armed groups. These demands formed part of the wider demonstration against the continuing crisis.
The protests come as Manipur continues to grapple with ethnic conflict that began in May 2023. The large turnout and simultaneous demonstrations across the valley highlighted continuing public frustration over violence and the absence of a lasting political settlement.
