1. Imphal, Manipur witnesses heightened tensions as women protestors rally towards the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.
2. Women from local Meira Paibi groups organize a torchlight rally, expressing dissent and condemning the firing incident in Moreh.
3. The recent violence in Moreh resulted in the tragic deaths of two IRB personnel, intensifying the protest in Imphal.
Imphal, Jan 18: Tensions flared in Imphal, Manipur as a group of women protestors attempted to conduct a rally and march towards the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.
Originating from local Meira Paibi groups, these women expressed their dissent through a torchlight rally, condemning a recent firing incident in the border town of Moreh that claimed the lives of two Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel.
Gathering in the Keishampat and Kwakeithel areas, scores of women carrying torchlights participated in the rally, raising slogans to voice their condemnation of the recent gunfight in Moreh.
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Their objective was to proceed to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, but the police intervened, restricting their movement beyond the Keishampat Junction.
The protesting women vehemently criticized the latest round of violence in Moreh, emphasizing the urgent need for resolution. They specifically called for the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) with the hill-based outfits, underlining the gravity of the situation.
The situation in Moreh remains tense, with reported clashes between security forces and armed miscreants on January 17. The unrest escalated when armed miscreants attacked IRB personnel, resulting in the death of one Commando (CDO) and injuring another.
The early morning ambush near Ema Kondong Lairembi Devi Mandir involved rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) and live rounds from the hilltop of Chikim Village.
Despite the challenges, the Assam Rifles, positioned a mere 20 meters from the IRB Post, responded swiftly. They covered the IRB post using Bullet Proof Vehicles, effectively protecting the personnel through retaliatory measures.
Simultaneously, the state government, recognizing the severity of the situation, submitted a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs, urgently seeking air assets, specifically helicopters, for the next seven days.
The letter highlighted the escalating law and order concerns in Moreh, emphasizing the continuous exchange of fire that resulted in the tragic deaths of two IRB personnel.
As Manipur grapples with heightened tensions and security challenges, the protest in Imphal symbolizes the public’s demand for resolution and stability in the region.
The multifaceted issues, from the call for the abrogation of SoO to the urgent need for air support, underscore the complexity of the current situation in Manipur.
