Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: Security forces arrested six suspected militants on September 19 near Chawangkining village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district. The CoBRA CRPF unit took Seilet, Manglen, Satho, Lenlal, Gin, and Chuchung into custody near Kholep village. Locals identified the men as the arrested group.
Crowds swarmed toward Chawangkining village to demand the release of the detainees. Security forces cut them off. Irate mobs then blocked the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway at multiple spots, including Kangpokpi bazar and Motbung. They set fire to tires and debris to halt the movement of reinforcements. One senior security officer stated, "Additional security forces have been deployed, but at around 9 pm all the additional security forces and commuters are blocked at Motbung, Kangpokpi district. We are trying to control the situation."
Social media footage shows a mob attacking a security Casspir truck. The vehicle was left half-burned as it attempted to flee the scene. This unrest follows an arson attack on September 16, where unidentified gunmen torched five homes in the Naga Liangmai village of Chawangkining.
Violence between Naga and Kuki communities has claimed roughly 30 lives since clashes started on February 7. Friction intensified after a twin ambush on May 13 killed four people across Kangpokpi and Noney. Tensions remain high following the discovery of six mutilated bodies of Nagas previously held by Kuki militants.
Updated at 20th September 2026 at 9:49am
Security forces resorted to firing tear gas shells on Saturday night to break up the aggressive crowds targeting the transport convoy. Officials confirmed the detention was a joint operation involving the Manipur Police alongside the CRPF and CoBRA commandos.
The unrest triggered an emergency shutdown across Kuki dominated sectors of the district. Authorities report that while the situation remains volatile, the area is now under control.
Updated at 20th September 2026 at 5:49pm
Protesters dug up sections of the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway at Motbung using heavy construction equipment to block the path of security convoys. The demonstrations, which saw crowds pelting government vehicles with stones, lasted until midnight.
Several protesters sustained injuries during the clashes and received treatment at a local hospital. Officials confirmed the incident concluded after authorities released the six detained village volunteers.
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