Violence Erupts During Naga Protest in Imphal

Protest Turns Chaotic

Imphal, Aug 20: A sit-in demonstration organized by the United Naga Council (UNC) at Kanglatongbi Bazaar escalated into violence on Thursday, resulting in injuries to over a dozen protesters, including the spouse of one of the six deceased Naga civilians.

The unrest began when tensions flared during the protest. Security personnel reportedly deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd, leading to injuries among the demonstrators who were subsequently taken for medical assistance.

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The demonstrators were advocating for justice regarding the six Naga victims and expressed their opposition to conducting the Census in Manipur without first updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Among those injured was Wikhonliu Thiumai, the widow of Phenrongwibou Thiumai, one of the six Naga individuals who were kidnapped and later found dead.

Wikhonliu sustained injuries during the clash and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

“The wife of the late Phenrongdibou attended the peaceful sit-in protest at Kanglatongbi with other women and youth. Unfortunately, she was injured due to police tear gas and pellet gun fire,” stated Victoria, a fellow protester.

Expressing her dismay over the use of force against peaceful demonstrators, she remarked, “Wikhonliu has endured so much after losing her husband. It is heartbreaking to witness her suffering again.”

This incident unfolds as the bodies of the six Naga civilians remain in the mortuary of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal, with Naga civil society groups refusing to claim the remains until justice is served for the killings.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made two arrests related to the case since it was transferred to the central agency in July.

On June 25, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) publicly acknowledged the involvement of the Kuki-Zo community in the deaths of the six Naga hostages and issued an apology.

The Kanglatongbi-Namdilong area has been tense for some time due to its strategic location near Kuki- and Naga-dominated regions, serving as a significant movement corridor. The area has also seen periodic protests.

In response to the situation, security forces have been heavily deployed in Kanglatongbi, working to maintain order while keeping the highway open, as the Kanglatongbi Bazaar stretch is a crucial highway route.

This confrontation occurred just a day after the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) concluded a two-day general strike, advocating for an NRC update prior to the Census and addressing concerns regarding the pending delimitation process.