Displaced people s rally foiled
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 16 2023: Large number of people who have been displaced in the ethnic violence took out a rally along with the public of Lamlai under the initiative of Lamlai Kendra Village Volunteers Force from Sabungkhok demanding to allow them to see their houses in Gwaltabi which have been destroyed in the communal violence lingering on since May 3 last, on Wednesday.

Security forces deployed in the area fired tear gas shells and dispersed the protestors.

The Lamlai Kendra Village Volunteers Force has been demanding the authority concern to remove the security check posts constructed along the stretch from Sabungkhok to Yaingangpokpi and bunkers of Kukimilitants built in Sanasa-bi which have been converted into Kuki militant camps, by August 12 failing which it has threatened to take up intense form of agitations.

Wednesday's rally was a follow up of the ultimatum imposed by village volunteer force.

On Wednesday, huge number of people from Lamlai assembly constituency assembled at Sabungkhok and took out the mass rally demanding removal of the security camps of Sikh regiment and Gorkha regiment constructed from Sabungkhok to Yaingangpokpi to reduce the problems being created to the student's community and the general public and also to allow them to visit their abandoned village following attack by armed Kuki militants.

As soon as the protestors reached Sabungkhok Lai Mamang, they were intercepted by state forces deployed in the area where a scuffle occurred between the protestors and the state forces.

Later, some representatives from among the protestors met with the officers of Sikh and Gorkha regiment during which the protestors brought up the demand for removal of the bunkers constructed by the central forces and the Kuki militants and allowing them to visit their destructed abandoned houses in Gwaltabi.

Unable to arrive at an understanding, the protestors expressing doubt over the points placed by the army officials resorted to shouting slogans like "Long live Manipur" and proceeded towards Gwaltabi.

As soon as the protesters reached Yainganpokpi bazaar, the security forces started firing tear gas shells towards the rallyists and disperse them.

The protestors also retaliated by throwing stones and slingshots.

No injury either sides was reported in the incident.

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