On Thursday, a protest rally in Imphal West turned violent, resulting in injuries to at least 10 individuals, including three security personnel. The rally was organized to demand justice for six Naga tribals who were allegedly abducted and killed by suspected Kuki militants. The clash occurred as security forces attempted to disperse the crowd, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region.
The Manipur government handed over the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and as part of the investigation, the agency has arrested four individuals, including a couple, in two separate operations. All four are residents of Leilon Vaiphei village, where the Nagas were allegedly abducted. The council also demanded an impartial investigation into the incident and the identification and prosecution of those responsible for the alleged killings and the injuries sustained during Thursday’s protest. The ethnic clashes in Manipur first began between the Meitei and Kuki communities before involving almost every community.
The state’s Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities have shut each other out of the areas they dominate since ethnic clashes began in May 2023, leaving at least 260 people dead and displacing 60,000.
