By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: At least three people were reported critically injured after an emergency highway shutdown in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district led to a confrontation between Kuki demonstrators and security personnel in the New Keithelmanbi area on Monday.
The incident occurred during a blockade called by Kuki civil society organisations, which entered its second day amid opposition to what protesters described as security operations targeting Kuki-Zo inhabited villages.
Protesters assembled at several points along the Imphal–Jiribam highway, disrupting traffic movement and demanding an immediate suspension of the ongoing operations.
According to local reports, tensions rose when security forces attempted to clear the road and resume vehicular movement.
Efforts to disperse the crowd reportedly involved a series of crowd-management measures, triggering panic among those present.
The Kuki Inpi South West Sadar Hills (KISW-SH) criticised the action taken by security personnel and alleged that demonstrators were removed from the site through the use of tear gas, blank rounds and baton charges.
In a statement, the organisation claimed that three people suffered serious injuries during the confrontation and described the response by security forces as disproportionate.
KISW-SH further alleged that concerns raised by local residents had not been adequately addressed and said force was used against participants involved in what it termed a peaceful protest.
According to the organisation, the shutdown was organised in response to security searches and combing operations that it alleged were being conducted primarily in Kuki-dominated areas.
The group also linked the ongoing ethnic unrest to the NSCN-IM and the ZUF-Kamson faction, which it described as an affiliated outfit, and called for legal action against those it held responsible.
According to the organisation, demonstrations may escalate in the coming days if its demands remain unaddressed.