Tension prevailed in Imphal East district today after hundreds of residents from Keibi, Uyumpok and neighbouring villages staged a protest against the reported relocation of the Pambei-led United National Liberation Front (UNLF) Military Wing (MPA) camp from Nongsum.
The protesters, including a large number of women, blocked roads and urged the authorities not to shift the camp, claiming that its presence had provided a sense of security to the surrounding villages since the outbreak of the ethnic violence in May 2023.
According to local sources, the Pambei-led UNLF, which is currently engaged in peace talks with the Government of India, was directed to vacate the Nongsum camp as it was not among the designated camps approved under the peace process. The MPA personnel were reportedly escorted out of the camp under tight security, while troops of the 10th India Reserve Battalion (IRB) were deployed to take over the site.
Residents said the Nongsum camp was established in 2023 to protect Meitei villages from attacks during the ethnic conflict. They expressed apprehension that its relocation would leave the area vulnerable and maintained that the MPA had been providing security to the local population.
The situation turned tense when MPA personnel began leaving the camp. As villagers attempted to prevent their departure, security forces moved in to disperse the gathering. Several tear smoke shells were reportedly fired after protesters resisted the movement of the security convoy.
Khundrakpam MLA Thokchom Lokeshwar Singh and a Joint Secretary of the Manipur Home Department later visited the protest site and held discussions with the agitating residents. The officials assured the villagers that adequate security arrangements would be made and that personnel of the 10th IRB would remain deployed in the area to ensure the safety of the local population.
Despite the assurance, many residents continued to oppose the relocation, insisting that the MPA camp should remain at Nongsum until lasting peace and normalcy are restored in the region.
