Photo Courtesy: nenow
Imphal: Security forces fired tear gas shells and mock bombs in Imphal East on Tuesday. They aimed to disperse women protesters led by the Meira Paibi group. The crowd blocked the road at Nongshum. They were fighting against the relocation of a camp belonging to the Pambei-led United National Liberation Front.
UNLF-P cadres tried to leave their frontline position following orders from the outfit's Military Affairs Committee. Villagers stopped the convoy dead. The protesters argued the group's presence served as a "protection shield" against nearby militants. They feared moving the camp would create a dangerous security vacuum for the northern approaches to Imphal East.
The standoff forced the Central Reserve Police Force and Manipur Police to break the blockade. Order returned after authorities sent India Reserve Battalion personnel to secure the site. The UNLF-P signed a peace deal with the Centre and the state government on November 29, 2023. Since then, the group has been moving out of designated camps. State officials held talks with locals to keep the peace.
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