Manipur: Confrontation between the security forces and women protesters in Imphal; police fires tear gas shells to quell the protest

There was confrontation between the security forces and women protesters in Imphal on Tuesday. Police had to fire tear gas shells to quell the protest. They were demanding release of six people who were arrested in connection with a mob attack and arms loot in the post of Indian Reserve Battalion. Two people were injured.

In protest against the security forces action, women groups have called a bandh on Wednesday in Manipur valley districts.

Mob on Tuesday last week attacked two posts of the Indian Reserve Battalion. One person was killed while two others were injured.


The Fifth Indian Reserve Battalion post is in Thengju Chingjin and 6th IRB battalion is at Pangei in Imphal East. The person was killed when he forcefully tried to enter the post of 6th IRB battalion.

Manipur police stated in X, “On 13.02.2024, in order to repel violent mobs including armed miscreants trying to storm MPTC, Pangei, security forces resorted to use of legal force. During the incident, one person succumbed to injuries and 3(three) persons sustained injuries".

Police stated in connection with the incident of arms looting case of 5th IRB, Chingarel, Imphal East by unruly mob on the night of 13.02.2024, Manipur Police have arrested six persons on 14.02.2024 and they have been remanded into police custody by judicial magistrate. Further, four Insas Rifles, one AK Ghatak, two magazines of SLR and 16 small boxes of 9 mm ammunition which are suspected to have been looted from 5th IRB have also been recovered by Manipur Police.”

Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh had said that only five or six weapons were taken away and those were recovered.

All Manipur Bar associations have condemned the use of force inside the court premises.

ITLF

Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) stated that Churachandpur district DC and SP were ordered to depart. It has come to light that they have risked their lives to return to the district. They are now responsible for their own safety and security.

ITLF stated, “In the interest of the public, the closure of state government offices will be lifted immediately. ITLF regrets that the incident that occurred on the evening of February 15, 2024, happened without our knowledge. We ask that people refrain from engaging in such aggressive behaviour going forward. Anyone who engages in such hostile behaviour in the future will be held responsible for their actions and will have to bear the repercussions on their own”.

ITLF had issued a ‘public notice’ announcing that all state government offices located in the Churachandpur district will remain closed on Monday, February 19 until further notice.

On Monday government offices across the Churachandpur and Pherzawl witnessed thin presence of staff.

The ITLF in a ‘public notice’ notice earlier stated that 24 hours have passed since ITLF have given an ultimatum to cancel the suspension order of the head constable Siamlalpaul and the replacement of Churachandpur district Superintendent of Police Shivanand Surve and the Deputy Commissioner S. Dharun Kumar.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had said that a magisterial inquiry has been ordered to find out if there was some ‘hidden agenda’ behind the mob attack on the offices of Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police on February 15 in Churachandpur district.

Two persons were killed and over 40 others were injured in Churachandpur after security forces fired at a mob that stormed a government compound, which houses the offices of the SP and DC late on February 15 night.