Violent Protests Erupt in Manipur's Kangpokpi Over Detention of Six Kuki Villagers

Imphal: Violent protests broke out in Manipur's Kangpokpi district after a section of the Kuki community accused security forces of detaining six villagers without explanation, officials said on Sunday. The unrest continued from around 10 pm on Saturday until close to midnight in Motbung and surrounding areas.

According to officials, agitators set tyres ablaze on roads and pelted stones at government vehicles during the protests. They also used heavy construction equipment to dig up portions of National Highway 2, the key Imphal-Dimapur route, at Motbung in an attempt to block the movement of security force vehicles. In response, security personnel fired multiple rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

The protesters alleged that the six detained individuals were village volunteers from Kholen, a settlement located near the Naga-majority village of Chawangkining in the district. Kholen had reportedly come under attack by armed assailants in recent days, heightening tensions in the area even before the detentions.

A senior official said the situation eventually eased after the detained village volunteers were released by security forces, following which the protests came to an end.

The incident adds to the prolonged ethnic unrest in Manipur, which has seen recurring clashes between Naga and Kuki-Zo groups since violence first erupted in the state in May 2023.