Security forces halted a peace march conducted by the Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS), a Meitei body, in Imphal West district on Saturday, citing its overlap with the government’s initiative to resume inter-district bus services aimed at ensuring free movement of people, police said.
The procession, which commenced from Imphal, was stopped at Sekmai, approximately 18 km away, with authorities urging participants to join the government’s official free movement initiative instead.
Members of FOCS, however, argued that unrestricted movement should apply to all and insisted on proceeding in vehicles arranged by them.
“If they (volunteers) wanted to participate in the free movement initiative, they may go through the vehicles arranged by the government,” a police officer stated.
FOCS president T Manihar remarked, “The purpose of the march is to bring peace to the state. If the government is not in a position to allow the free movement of the public, what is the need for making the announcement?”
The inter-district bus services resumed on Saturday following a directive from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who had recently instructed security forces to ensure free movement across all routes in Manipur from 8 March, warning of stringent action against any disruptions.
Chairing a security review meeting, Shah reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to restoring lasting peace in the violence-ridden state and pledged all necessary assistance in this regard.
Also read: Meitei groups to hold 'peace marches' in Kuki areas tomorrow
This marked the first such review meeting since the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur, where ethnic strife has prevailed since May 2023.
Meanwhile, Kangpokpi district witnessed fresh unrest as security forces deployed tear gas to disperse demonstrators opposing both the government’s free movement directive and the FOCS-led peace march.
Protesters, who clashed with security personnel and hurled stones, set private vehicles ablaze in their attempt to halt a state transport bus bound for Senapati district from Imphal.
Tyres were also torched along NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur highway) as locals blocked government vehicles from proceeding.
Police reported that the peace march was halted at Sekmai en route to Kangpokpi, citing the lack of official permission. “We are just following orders. We have been told to stop the march. If they want to go, they can go in the state buses arranged by the government,” a policeman said.
FOCS members, however, contended that they were merely adhering to Shah’s instruction on unrestricted movement.
Adding to tensions, a purported video released by the Kuki-Zo village volunteers group from an undisclosed location surfaced online, voicing opposition to the Indian government’s directive on free movement.
The group reiterated its demand for a separate administration. The authenticity of the video could not be verified.
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