Manipur home minister appeals for calm

In the backdrop of escalating protests across Manipur’s valley districts, Manipur home minister Govindas Konthoujam appealed to the public to refrain from misinformation during a news conference held at his secretariat in Imphal on Wednesday.
The news conference was also attended by MLAs – Thounaojam Basanta Kumar, Tongbram Robindro, and Irengbam Nalini Devi among others.
It may be mentioned that the valleys of Manipur is witnessing a fresh wave of protests after the killing two kids while they were asleep in an RPG attack at Tronglaobi in Bishnupur district on April 7 and the subsequent death of three protesters in firing by the CRPF on the same day.
The protests escalated on Tuesday after at least 23 protesters, including women, sustained injuries in action by the security forces to disperse protesters who torched two of the three vehicles in which a group of armed persons were travelling along the Tiddim Road (Imphal-Churachandpur road) at Thinungei in Bishnupur district Tuesday afternoon.
The protesters torched the vehicle after the armed persons, they suspected to be militants, but police claimed as security personnel escaped after a brief clash.
Even as the police clarified that the security personnel were in a covert operation connected to seizure of illegal drugs at Imphal Airport, protests were carried out against the action of the police and security forces that left as many as 23 people injured.
At various places, the protesters blocked roads disturbing vehicular movement as they still expressed suspicion of the police’s covert operation.
In his press conference, Konthoujam alleged that the fresh tense situation in the valley districts, particularly in Bishnupur district since Tuesday, was due to an unfortunate incident triggered by misinformation and rumours that followed.
Konthoujam, while giving a similar version of the state police, said the joint team of CISF, Assam Rifles, and state forces was on a covert operation based on specific source following arrest of a drug peddler – Sabhir Ahmad – from Imphal Airport at around 10.30am of Tuesday.
He said that the occupants of the three vehicles intercepted by people at Thinungei were Assam Rifles personnel in plain clothes who were heading to Kwakta village in Bishnupur district for an operation based on a disclosure made by the arrested alleged drug peddler from the Imphal Airport.
During interrogation, he (the drug peddler) revealed the presence of more drugs and weapons at Kwakta, Bishnupur district. Accordingly, Assam Rifles personnel in plain clothes escorted him to the location.
However, on the way, an unfortunate incident occurred when local women, who were frisking vehicles, stopped the team, leading to a miscommunication, claiming that a particular tribe was inside the vehicle which created confusion and suspicion among the public, the home minister said.
Due to this misunderstanding, tensions escalated quickly, and the situation turned violent. People started attacking, and in the chaos, some individuals were injured. The vehicle was also set on fire, and more unrest spread in the area, he added.
He further said that security forces, including Assam Rifles and commandos, arrived and carried out rescue operations and some people were safely evacuated.
Local volunteers and groups also helped in rescuing and controlling the situation. State security forces, along with central forces and the army, have been deployed and combing operations were ongoing to control the situation and prevent further unrest, the home minister said.
The incident reportedly involved armed individuals and has raised serious concerns about safety and law and order.
Authorities were working to identify and take action against those responsible within the shortest possible time, Konthuojam asserted.
The authorities concerned, including MLAs of Moirang and Kumbi constituencies were already informed and necessary steps were being taken.
A meeting with the chief minister is also being planned to address the situation, the home minister added.