Displaced people of Manipur clash with police forces

Manipur's internally displaced people (IDPs) staying in relief camps clashed with security forces at Pukhao and near Dolaithabi Dam in Imphal East district on Monday. Security forces opened tear gas shells and fired in the air to disperse the crowd. The protesters were seeking resettlement. Five people, including two security personnel, were injured in the clashes.

Hundreds of IDPs tried to march towards their homes in Kangpokpi but were stopped by the security forces. They started moving in the morning, and police repeatedly asked them not to enter the volatile 'red zone' areas.

IDPs claimed since the annual Sangai festival is being held, "normalcy has been restored" in the state. Hence, they should be allowed to return to their homes. A senior police officer said barricades were set up across several points in Dolaithabi, but as the number of people swelled, the security forces fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters.


They were against the government's decision to hold the 10-day Sangai festival. The festival was inaugurated last Friday by governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. These IDPs want to be rehabilitated before the state government organised such festivals. Meitei civil society organisation, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity, had raised its objection against the holding of the festival on Friday. Manipur has been under President's rule since February 13 this year.