Article by Viory
A torch rally held in parts of Imphal West, northeast India, on Monday night turned violent as security personnel fired tear gas and used batons to disperse the protesters.
The rally was part of a wave of demonstrations and a state-wide shutdown that has gripped Manipur over the past week, following the deaths of two young children in a militant attack on April 7.
Footage from the night shows protesters chanting slogans calling for justice for the victims of the Tronglaobi attack in Bishnupur district. They demanded action against the alleged ‘Kuki narco-terrorists’ and called for the withdrawal of central forces from the state.
Protester Prakarthi stated: “We want our voices to be heard by Narendra Modi and the Indian government because we want peace. Since 2023, we have faced numerous problems. We haven’t gone everywhere in Manipur, but our homeland is still burning due to the Kuki terrorist attacks. Two children have died as a result of these attacks, which is why we cannot remain at home in peace. We want our peace back in Manipur, and that is why we are protesting peacefully.”
“We want to express our voices. We want peace. That is all we are here to advocate for,” she added.
Another, Prthibama, said: “Today, we are protesting because of the two children who were killed while they were sleeping with their mothers. The Kuki narco-terrorists attacked us in the middle of the night. The following day, the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) killed civilians who were not involved. We are deeply saddened and we want justice for that.”
“Now, we are suffering many casualties, but the murder of these two children weighs heavily on our hearts. Who will be next? We need justice. We urge our chief ministers, the President of India, and all leaders, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to speak on our behalf and ensure justice. We want justice,” she added.
As large-scale protests continue every night across the Manipur valley, two weeks after the tragic deaths of the two Meitei children – a five-year-old boy and his six-month-old sister – intensifying ethnic tensions have prompted authorities to take action against alleged ‘instigators’.
In recent days, nearly every night has seen multiple rallies, including large gatherings of hundreds of protesters carrying torches in defiance of the night curfew, many of which have ended in clashes with security forces.
On several occasions, it has been reported that some individuals, posing as protesters, have engaged in violent activities, including using petrol or kerosene bombs, catapults fitted with iron projectiles, and stone-pelting directed at security forces.
Article by Viory
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