Imphal: Manipur Police fired tear gas shells on Sunday afternoon to disperse hundreds of protesters who attempted to march towards the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Imphal during a rally demanding justice for six slain Liangmai Naga civilians and other indigenous people killed since the outbreak of the ethnic conflict in 2023.
The confrontation took place in the Khoyathong area of the state’s capital. The demonstration was organised under the banner, “Justice for the Six Liangmai Nagas, Justice for Every Indigenous Life Stolen Since May 3, 2023”, by the Khwairamband Keithel Imasings, the Coordination Committee Imphal Area (Joint Tribe Council) and the Save Indigenous People of Manipur (SIPOM).
The protest followed recent remarks by Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam in the state Assembly. SIPOM convener Mayanglangbam Bobby said the minister’s remarks, which cleared a police constable and the chief of Leilon Vaiphei of involvement in the killings, had caused confusion and anger among the protesters.
Amandai Thaimei, co-convener of the Naga Humanitarian Aid Committee, warned the state and Central governments that indigenous Meitei and Naga communities would no longer remain silent. With the current Assembly session scheduled to conclude on Monday, Thaimei said communities would consider taking matters into their own hands if justice was not delivered immediately.
“We will not expect justice from the government again,” Thaimei said. “We will take up arms; we will take up everything to defend our land and to get justice by ourselves. We will fight tooth and nail,” he added.