Imphal: Civil society organisations and local women’s groups held a torch rally and sit-in protest at the Kamjong district headquarters on Sunday night.
The demonstrations followed clashes and arson in the Chassad area and the transfer of the district police chief.
The protests came after violence broke out in Chassad on Saturday. Local villagers alleged that the incident followed a cross-border incursion by Myanmar-based Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B) militants.
Residents said two armed individuals were killed during the clash. They also claimed that one of the deceased was wearing a military uniform associated with the insurgent group.
Villagers further alleged that Assam Rifles personnel damaged several houses using bombs during the clash. They also claimed that three Naga volunteers were injured by gunfire allegedly directed at them by Assam Rifles personnel.
The protests intensified after the Manipur government transferred Kamjong Superintendent of Police Tholu Rocky, MPS, and appointed Jay Barange, IPS, in his place.
Protesters and several civil society organisations, including the Kamjong Students’ Union, the Poumai Naga Officers Association and regional women’s groups, opposed the decision.
Organisation leaders described the transfer as unfair and questioned the reasons behind it. They alleged that a social media campaign targeting Rocky’s reputation had prompted the decision.
The Kamjong Students’ Union demanded that the government revoke the transfer order and register a First Information Report (FIR) against those responsible for the allegedly defamatory online posts.
The government has not clarified whether the transfer was linked to the violence in Chassad. The allegations about the incident have yet to be independently verified.