Seven hurt as police and protesters clash in Imphal

At least seven women protesters were injured after police backed by the Central security forces used tear gas shells and mock bombs to prevent hundreds of protesters from marching toward Imphal Raj Bhavan on Sunday in response to mass demonstrations called by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) for alleged insult to Manipur’s identity by the Central security forces.
COCOMI called for mass demonstrations, including protest outside the Raj Bhavan, after Governor Ajay Kumar Balla failed to issue an apology over a recent incident involving 4th Mahar Regiment of Indian Army outraging Manipur’s identity.
Of the seven women were injured in the ensuing chaos, four of them who needed immediate medical attention were rushed to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Imphal. The protest erupted from Khwairamband Keithel which also has iconic all-women-run markets and was intercepted by the police backed by the Central security forces near Imphal Congress Bhavan gate along BT Road.
The outnumbered protesters broke through the barricades and moved further toward the Raj Bhavan only to face another huge contingent of the security forces near the Western Gate of Kangla fort.
A scuffle further broke out as the protesters tried to advance despite the strong resistance by the security forces. Though they were prevented from further proceeding, the protesters continued chanting various slogans against the PR government including “Long Live Manipur”.
The COCOMI further demanded the resignation of the security advisor to the Manipur government, chief secretary and DGP while fixing them responsible for the act of “undermining the identity, pride, and respect of Manipur”. The protesters led by leaders of the COCOMI and vendors of iconic Ima Keithel (All-women-run markets) on Sunday tried to storm the Raj Bhavan amid the heavy presence of state police and the Central security forces including Rapid Action Force (RAP) personnel.
Security measures were significantly intensified in anticipation of the protest, with multiple layers of barricades set up on all roads leading to the Raj Bhavan.
Heavy presence of personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Manipur police were seen at Keishampat Bridge, Moirangkhom, Sanjenthong and BT Road to prevent any untoward incident.
COCOMI Convener Khuraijam Athouba who along with other leaders participated in the protest said that the people of Manipur would not retreat until the Governor issues a public apology. “We, the people of Manipur, would not back down until the Governor issued a formal apology over the insult to Manipur’s identity,” he told the reporters during the protest.
He also rejected the government’s administrative inquiry, demanding instead an independent probe led by a retired session judge or high court judge.
“The security advisor, chief secretary and DGP must be replaced immediately,” he added.
The convener further strongly condemned the action of the police and security forces toward the protesters who were demonstrating in a democratic way.
He reiterated that the protest will continue further until the demands put forward by the COCOMI are addressed by the government while calling the people to resort only democratic forms of protest and avoid any form of violence during the protest.