Free Movement In Manipur:  16 Critically Injured, 1 Dead

Centre’s free movement directive came into force in Manipur on Saturday, the ethnic violence-hit state saw clashes between groups with buses being burnt and roads being blocked. The violence led to the death of a man, while 16 people critically injured.

According to security forces, Kuki protesters reportedly blocked the road leading to Senapati from Imphal and stopped a BSF convoy carrying people of the Meitei community. Troops and police personnel deployed there resorted to firing tear gas shells to control the situation. The convoy stopped at the Keithelmanbi military colony by around 2,000-2,500 Kuki protesters, who pelted stones and set ablaze a few vehicles. This prompted the police and Army troops to control the situation once again by firing tear gas shells.

The state that came under the President’s rule saw fresh blocks and barricades opposing free movement in the hill districts. In December last year, the state government’s attempt to resume public bus services from Imphal to Kangpokpi and Churachandpur failed when no passengers showed up at the Manipur State Transport (MST) station in Moirangkhom, Imphal.

They said the buses to the hill districts of Churachandpur and Senapati were flagged off from Imphal airport around 10 am without any passengers, and a large convoy of central forces, including army personnel, escorted the vehicles. They added bus destined for Senapati district via Kangpokpi did not face any obstruction or blockade till Kanglatongbi in Imphal West district.

The state transport bus services resumed to “alleviate public inconveniences and as an initiative towards bringing normalcy in the state. Bus destined for Senapati district via Kangpokpi did not face any obstruction or blockade till Kanglatongbi in Imphal West district, they added. Officials said the state transport bus services resumed to “alleviate public inconveniences and as an initiative towards bringing normalcy in the state.