Manipur: One killed, 15 injured as protestors clash with security forces in Kangpokpi

One person was killed and 15 were seriously injured on Saturday in clashes between Kuki-Zo protestors and security personnel in different parts of Manipur’s Kangpokpi district.

Protests erupted on Saturday against a state government announcement from March 7 that public bus services would be arranged between Manipur’s valley and hill districts. The violence began after a group of Kukis stopped a public transport bus in the district.

While the Kukis are in a majority in the Kangpokpi district, the Meiteis dominate the Imphal valley.

The protests were also against a “march to the hill districts” of Manipur proposed by an Imphal valley-based civil society organisation named Federation of Civil Society Organisations. The march was planned in the wake of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s directive to officials to ensure free movement on all roads in the state from March 8.

The person who died on Saturday has been identified as Lalgou Singsit. The 30-year-old sustained bullet injuries in the Keithelmanbi area of Kangpokpi, and died while being taken to hospital, PTI quoted the police as saying.

Protestors were injured after clashing with security forces at Gamgiphai, Motbung and Keithelmanbi. Those injured have been admitted to nearby public health centres.

Demonstrators in some places set fire to private vehicles and tried to stop a state transport bus that was...

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