SFs stop FOCS' peace rally at Sekmai Yaiphakol
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 08 2025: The peace rally taken out by a large number of people today under the aegis of the Fede-ration of Civil Society Orga- nisations (FOCS) Manipur was stopped by security forces at Sekmai Yaiphakol, about one Km away from Imphal West-Kangpokpi border.

FOCS planned to take out the peace rally from Imphal to Senapati along NH-2 .

As announced earlier by FOCS, its office bearers and members gathered at their office from early morning.

In the meantime, heavy security measures were taken up by security forces in front of Kangla Gate and around FOCS office located at Chingmeirong Kabo Leikai.

A large number of security forces including RAF personnel were seen around FOCS office hours before the peace rally was flagged off.

SFs stop FOCS' peace rally at Sekmai Yaiphakol

The peace rally was flag-ged off by renowned film- maker Aribam Syam Shar-ma from in front of FOCS office.

However, the convoy of vehicles participating in the peace rally was halted by security forces just a few meters away from FOCS office stating that they (FOCS) didn't have permit to take out the peace rally up to Senapati.

In the meantime, additional security personnel arrived at the spot to assist the security personnel who were halting the peace rally.

Some words were exchanged between the secu- rity personnel and those who took part in the peace rally.

While the security personnel were busy dealing with the situation at Ching- meirong area, some office bearers and members of FOCS sneaked away from the spot leaving their vehicles on the spot and went toward Sekmai in other vehicles.

The members and the office bearers of FOCS were warmly welcomed by womenfolk at different junctions before reaching Sekmai.

When the peace rally reached Sekmai Yaiphakol area, they were stopped by a large number of security personnel.

At Sekmai Yaiphakol, the security forces prevented the participants of the rally from proceeding towards Kangla-tongbi.

There, a heated argument broke out between the two sides in the middle of the road leading to traffic jam on NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur highway) .

An additional team of security forces lead by IGP (Zone 1) Themthing Ngasangva arrived at the scene and took stock of the situation.

Later the situation was brought under control and the road was cleared by the security personnel at around noon.

There was no report of any kind of unwanted incident during the peace rally.