A protest march organised by the All India Students’ Federation (AISF), Manipur, demanding justice for the three civilians killed in the Nongshum incident turned tense on Thursday after police and Central security personnel intervened to stop the demonstrators from proceeding towards Raj Bhavan.
The protesters assembled near the Western Gate of Kangla and marched in opposition to the state government, condemning the killings and demanding accountability for the loss of civilian lives amid the continuing crisis in Manipur.
As the demonstrators attempted to proceed towards Raj Bhavan, police personnel moved to prevent them from advancing, triggering a confrontation between the protesters and security forces. Several AISF members and other supporters were detained during the intervention and taken into custody.
The protest reflected mounting anger over the continuing violence and the inability to restore a sense of security among the public. The killing of three civilians at Nongshum has intensified demands for justice, with the students’ organisation taking to the streets to press the government for accountability and effective measures to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
For the protesters, the demonstration was a direct expression of opposition to the prevailing security situation and what they view as the failure to ensure the safety of ordinary citizens. The march towards Kangla’s Western Gate and the attempted onward movement towards Raj Bhavan brought their demands into direct confrontation with the security arrangements put in place to restrict the procession.
The detention of protesters further heightened tensions surrounding the demonstration. However, the exact number of those detained, the grounds for their detention and whether they were subsequently released were not immediately known.
