Security has been heightened in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district since Friday evening following a mob attack on the office of Superintendent of Police (SP) M Prabhakar, who was injured in the assault.
The attack occurred when a mob targeted the SP’s office, hurling stones and other projectiles in protest against the continued presence of central armed forces, particularly the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Saibol village.
The protesters, mainly from Kuki groups, were angered over the failure of the authorities to meet their demands to remove central forces from the area. The mob also vandalised police vehicles stationed within the SP office compound.
Prabhakar sustained an injury after being struck on the forehead by a projectile.
According to officials, he is now in stable condition and is continuing to lead the joint security forces.
A senior officer in Imphal said that a large contingent of security forces had been deployed to the area to maintain control. "The situation is now under control and being closely monitored," the officer added.
The police also confirmed that besides stones, the mob had thrown petrol bombs at the SP’s office. In response, security forces deployed adequate force to disperse the crowd and regain control of the situation.
The statement further added, “The SP is fine now and presently leading the joint security forces in tackling the situation.”
A number of injured protesters have been hospitalised, officials said.
Kuki organisations have been protesting the continued presence of central forces following an incident on 31 December, when women from the community were allegedly baton-charged by security personnel.
The incident occurred in Saibol village, which lies in the 'buffer zone' between the Kuki-dominated Hills and the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley.
Locals claimed that the women had gathered to protest against the occupation of community bunkers by security personnel, following an operation in the area after gunfights injured four people, including a police officer.
In protest of the December 31 incident, the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), based in Kangpokpi, blocked National Highway 2, which disrupted the movement of goods to Imphal Valley.
In a separate operation on Friday, security forces recovered a large cache of weapons and ammunition from Loibol Khunou area in the district. The haul included a sniper rifle, improvised mortars, pistols, grenades, and ammunition, police said.
The ongoing ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur has claimed more than 250 lives and displaced thousands since May 2023.
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