Photo Courtesy: nenow
Imphal: Tension exploded on National Highway-2 Monday morning. Protesters blocked the road at Kanglatongbi with boulders and trees. They expected Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen to drive toward Imphal Airport. The crowd moved based on a rumor. They wanted to intercept her.
Instead, they swarmed the wrong convoy. Protesters pelted the vehicles of Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho with stones. Two vehicles suffered damage. One belonged to the Deputy Chief Minister and the other to the Poumai Naga Tsiidoumai Me, the youth wing of the Poumai Naga community. The group also reported that student leaders were targeted with catapults at Namdilong gate.
The situation calmed after the group realized their error. The protesters reconciled with Dikho once the identity of the target became clear. Imphal West SP arrived with a security team to disperse the mob. Officers faced a brief confrontation while attempting to make arrests. State and Central forces searched the area, but no one went to jail.
The Liangmai Naga Council later issued a formal apology. They stated there was no intent to disrespect Dikho or the PNTM. In their statement, the group urged "volunteers not to act on unverified information" to keep the peace. The PNTM reached out to the United Naga Council for help to prevent more violence.
Manipur remains volatile. Recent months saw deadly clashes and arson across Ukhrul, Kamjong, and Kangpokpi. Highways remain dangerous choke points for the state. Authorities are struggling to keep the road to Dimapur open while rumors continue to stir up anger.
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