Protests force Manipur CM Khemchand Singh to take chopper; firing during visit

Guwahati: With normal life already paralysed in Manipur's valley districts, a three-day shutdown called by Naga civil bodies disrupted daily activity across several hill districts on Tuesday, enforced through highway blockades, protests and curbs on movement.

Protesters forced Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh to travel a 26-km stretch by helicopter amid demonstrations in Wangjing against his visit.

In a post on X, Manipur Police said a large group armed with stones and catapults advanced towards the function site, allegedly to vandalise a newly built Block Development Office (BDO). Despite repeated warnings, the crowd continued to move aggressively, posing a threat to public property and those present.


"Minimum necessary force was applied. As a last resort, controlled firing was undertaken as per protocol to disperse the mob," police said, adding that one person-identified as Elangbam Nandbir Singh (40), a Village Defence Force SPO-was injured. The situation was later brought under control.