Daijiworld Media Network – Imphal
Imphal, Jun 8: At least four civilians were injured during a confrontation between protesters and personnel of the Assam Rifles in Manipur's Ukhrul district on Sunday, following opposition to the establishment of a new Assam Rifles outpost at New Heaven village, officials said.
According to the Ukhrul district police control room, the incident occurred around 4 pm at New Heaven village under the jurisdiction of Sansad Police Station.
Villagers alleged that around 40 Assam Rifles personnel stationed at Lambui village attempted to set up an outpost at New Heaven without prior consultation with village authorities. In response, local residents, including women and members of student organisations, staged a protest demanding that the construction work be stopped.
The situation reportedly turned tense when security personnel moved to disperse the demonstrators. Officials said that during the crowd-control operation, Assam Rifles personnel fired several live rounds and resorted to a lathi charge, resulting in injuries to at least four civilians.
Residents alleged that the security force acted without the presence of an executive magistrate and used force against women protesters. Several villagers, including the president of a student organisation, were reportedly injured during the confrontation.
The protesters demanded the immediate removal of the Assam Rifles outpost, claiming that trust between the local community and the security force had broken down. They also expressed concerns over the safety of their lives and property.
Confirming the incident, Ukhrul district police said the situation was under control but remained tense. A police official stated that the Assam Rifles had occupied the outpost forcibly and that law and order concerns persisted in the area.
The latest unrest comes amid heightened tensions in Ukhrul district following a series of violent incidents in recent weeks. Since the twin ambushes on May 13 in Kangpokpi district and Noney district that left four civilians dead, including three church leaders, security concerns have intensified across the region.
In the aftermath of those attacks, 48 civilians from different communities were reportedly taken hostage. While several have since been released, civil society organisations claim that some individuals remain in captivity.
The security situation worsened further on May 29 when armed miscreants ambushed a goods convoy along National Highway 202 connecting Imphal and Nagaland. The attack claimed the life of a truck driver from West Bengal and left a Manipur Police personnel injured.
Authorities are closely monitoring developments in Ukhrul district as tensions continue over security deployments and inter-community concerns in the region.