Imphal: Security forces in Manipur’s Imphal West deployed tear gas shells and mock bombs to disperse an angry crowd outside Mayang Imphal police station on Friday.
The clash broke out amid public outrage over the suspicious death of a 23-year-old woman.
The deceased, identified as Lourembam Ongbi Manda Devi, a native of Heirok in Thoubal district, was found hanging inside her residence at Mayang Imphal Bazar around noon on Thursday.
Her family members reportedly discovered her body at around 11:45 am and rushed her to SAS Hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead.
The woman’s maternal family alleged foul play and raised suspicion against her husband, Lourembam Kiyamba, and his family.
Following a meeting at Heirok on Friday morning involving local clubs and Meira Paibis groups, a Joint Action Committee (JAC) was formed to demand justice.
Tensions escalated later that day when protesters and family members marched to Mayang Imphal police station.
The demonstrators attempted to breach security barricades, while some members of the crowd damaged property at the husband’s residence. Additional security personnel were deployed to bring the situation under control.
JAC convener Dhamen Moirangthem said the committee had given the authorities a three-day ultimatum to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and arrest those responsible for the woman’s death.
The convener and local youth club leaders also said the family would not claim the body from the RIMS morgue until their demands were met.
Police officials said a case of unnatural death had been registered and an investigation was underway. Forensic experts inspected the scene, while the husband and mother-in-law were detained for questioning.