New Delhi: A temporary camp of the Assam Rifles in Hongbei village of Manipur’s Kamjong district was set on fire by protesters on Saturday. This came over alleged harassment and restrictions on timber transportation in the area. The incident marks another flashpoint in the region grappling with ethnic violence since May 2023.
The unrest erupted when Assam Rifles personnel stopped the transport of timber. It was meant for construction of houses in a nearby village. Despite the intervention of local MLA Leishiyo Keishing, who appealed to the paramilitary force to allow the transport, the request was dismissed. This angered the locals.
Residents allege continuous frisking
Residents, including a large number of women from the Tangkhul Naga community, gathered in protest against the alleged “continuous frisking” and harassment along the Imphal-Myanmar road. The situation escalated as Assam Rifles personnel reportedly fired tear gas shells and air shots to disperse the crowd, according to a TOI report.
The protesters stormed the camp, destroyed it and demanded the immediate withdrawal of Assam Rifles from the area. Kamjong SP Ningsem Vashum confirmed that roads in the region were blocked by residents to prevent reinforcements from reaching the site.
No casualties were reported in the incident. The Assam Rifles has repeatedly faced criticism from local communities over alleged heavy-handed tactics.
Security forces recover firearms
Manipur has been in turmoil since May 2023 due to ethnic violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities, which erupted over the issue of reservation. The violence has claimed over 250 lives and displaced thousands. The Assam Rifles, along with other security forces, has been deployed in various parts of the state to maintain order.
Meanwhile, security forces on Sunday recovered seven firearms in Churachandpur’s Old Gelmol village. The seized firearms included an AK-56 rifle and a Chinese-origin hand grenade. In Tengnoupal’s Govajang area, three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were recovered, weighing between 1kg and 5kg each.
