Manipur: 1 dead, 27 security personnel injured in clash with Kuki-Zo protesters
Imphal: At least one person has been confirmed dead, and 27 security personnel have sustained injuries after members of the Kuki-Zo community clashed with security forces on the Imphal-Dimapur highway, media reports said.
The clashes erupted when locals defied Union Home Minister Amit Shah's directive, which mandated the free movement of all vehicles across Manipur starting today, security sources told the India Today TV reported.
According to sources, tensions escalated in Kangpokpi, particularly along National Highway 2, prompting local authorities to impose a curfew in the area.
Earlier in the day, security forces resorted to firing tear gas shells to disperse protesters who had blocked NH-2 by burning tyres to obstruct the movement of government vehicles.
The situation, however, deteriorated when protesters began setting fire to private vehicles and attempted to stop a state transport bus heading to Senapati district.
Members of the Kuki-Zo community were protesting against a peaceful march organised by a Meitei organisation, Federation of Civil Society (FOCS).
The march, which was heading towards Kangpokpi district, was halted midway by security forces at Sekmai.
The authorities cited a lack of necessary permission despite the Meitei group.
The officials referred to Shah's directive that permitted the free movement of vehicles, according to a report by PTI.
"We are just following orders. We have been told to stop the march. If they want to go, they can go in the state buses arranged by the government," a police official was quoted as saying by PTI.
According to an NDTV report, the Churachandpur-based Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), in a statement, said it strongly condemns the Centre's decision "to impose free movement, as the government was fully aware of the potential for violence if such a decision is put into action."
The KZC said an indefinite bandh has been called in place where Kuki-Zo tribes are dominant.
"... the 'free movement' initiative of the government will be staunchly opposed until a political solution for the Kuki-Zo community is reached for lasting peace in the region."
The KZC cannot guarantee free movement of Meiteis across buffer zones and cannot take responsibility for any untoward incidents," KZC chairman Henlianthang Thanglet said in the statement.
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