Kangpokpi SP among dozens injured in mob attack
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 03 2025: Over 20 individuals including some police personnel and Kangpokpi superintendent of police (SP) Manoj Prabhakar suffered injuries after a frenzied mob attacked the office of the SP in Kangpokpi district headquarters on Friday evening.

The mob stormed and pelted stones and flaming logs towards the office of the SP after the latter failed to translate his alleged assurance to replace CAPF personnel posted in Uyokching (Saibol) area near Thamnapokpi and Yaingangpokpi Meetei villages with Saikul police.

The incident followed an earlier protest led by Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) during the day wherein, protestors numbering around 5000 stormed and locked down the DC's office around 2.30 pm.

Kangpokpi SP among dozens injured in mob attack

The protestors then marched to the SP's office and cordoned off the campus, following which the SP approached and pacified the protesters with the assurance to replace CAPF personnel stationed in Saibol area with Saikul police and sought three hours' time.

The protestors waited near the SP's office with many of them burning logs to bear the cold weather.

As the three-hour deadline passed, the protestors tried to storm the SP's office again and resorted to pelting stones and throwing the burning logs towards the office premises.

Videos showing the mob action went viral on social media.

With the overwhelming number of protestors resorting to violence, police unleashed tear gas shells and fired in the air apart from using pellet guns to disperse the mob.

The SP and some police personnel, as well as around 20 protestors were injured in the standoff.

Several police vehicles were also damaged in the incident.

Subsequently, the protestors blocked the road by piling up sand bags, barricades to prevent reinforcement team from entering.

Videos of the situation in Kangpokpi town that went viral on social media showed suspected Kuki militants in military fatigue armed with sophisticated assault rifles joining the mob in marching towards the SP's office.

One particular video showed several well-armed Kuki militants passing across HDFC Bank located within walking distance from the SP's office.

Mention may be made that Kangpokpi district is Kuki-dominated area and has designated camps of the Kuki National Army (KNA), the armed wing of Kuki National Front, which had signed the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the governments of India and Manipur, before the latter withdrew from the pact citing violation of the ceasefire ground rules.

Viral screenshots of WhatsApp messages also showed communications among protestors in Kangpokpi area for forcible cessation of operation of mobile internet towers to prevent further leak of videos of the situation on social media.

Meanwhile, a security officer in neighbouring Senapati district told The People's Chronicle that they have moved joint security teams of central and state forces towards Kangpokpi town as reinforcement.

Situation remain tense at the time of filing this report.

Earlier on December 31, a scuffle broke out in Saibol area as protestors clashed with security forces occupying recently dismantled illegal bunkers of Kuki militants.

The protests began on December 30 when Kuki women from Saibol and neighbouring villages in Kangpokpi district gathered in large numbers to air dissatisfaction over the BSF's presence.

By Tuesday morning, the demonstrations intensified, with protestors removing belongings from security camps to force the personnel vacate the area.

In response, security forces used tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, resulting in injuries to handful of women.

The protestors reportedly'warned of possible retaliatory attacks if the BSF personnel do not vacate the area soon.

The bunkers, used by Kuki militants to launch attacks on Meetei villages in the foothills, were dismantled during a joint operation by central and state security forces.

The operation, which targeted areas in Thamnapokpi and Yaingangpokpi Uyokching, also led to the occupation of several other militant-con-trolled bunkers in Saibol.

Since December 25, attacks by Kuki militants had left four individuals injured, including a journalist, a police commando, a village volunteer, and a woman from a Meetei foothill village.

The assaults ceased only after the joint operation brought the area under security control.

According to a press release issued by the Police Control Room, the protest escalated when participants attacked the office of the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Kangpokpi by pelting stones and petrol bombs.

Security forces were compelled to use adequate force to disperse the mob, bringing the situation under control.

In the ensuing violence, Superintendent of Police Manoj Prabhakar sustained injuries.

Several vehicles were also damaged during the incident.

The SP has since received medical treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.

He is currently leading joint security forces to maintain peace and order in the district.

Additional contingents of security personnel have been deployed to monitor and address the situation.

Authorities confirmed that the situation is now under control and being closely monitored.

Meanwhile, search and area domination operations were conducted by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of the district, as well as nearby hill and valley regions.

During these operations, security forces recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition from Loibol Khunou, Kangpokpi District.

The items seized include one modified 7.62mm Sniper Rifle, one improvised Long Range Mortar (Pumpi), three 9mm Pistols with magazines, one 12 Bore Gun, one SBBL Gun, 10 rounds, three No 36 Hand Grenades, three Picket Grenades (Anti-Riot), two Tear Smoke Grenades (Anti-Riot), and one Motorola Wireless handheld radio set.