Imphal: Tension gripped Manipur’s Imphal East district on Tuesday after security forces fired tear gas shells and mock bombs to disperse Meira Paibi-led women protesters opposing the relocation of a camp of the Pambei-led United National Liberation Front (UNLF-P) at Nongshum.
The confrontation erupted after villagers blocked the movement of UNLF-P cadres who had begun vacating the frontline camp at Nongshum in the Uyungpok area following a directive from the outfit’s Military Affairs Committee.
The protesters, led by local women groups and Meira Paibis, prevented the convoy from leaving the camp, arguing that the presence of the UNLF-P served as a “protection shield” against nearby militants. They said relocating the camp would create a security vacuum and leave the northern approaches to Imphal East vulnerable.
As the standoff intensified, personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Manipur Police used tear gas shells and mock bombs to disperse the protesters and clear the blockade.
The UNLF-P signed a tripartite peace agreement with the Centre and the Manipur government on November 29, 2023. The outfit has since been vacating certain designated camps following administrative deliberations.
Amid mounting protests, the state government deployed personnel of the India Reserve Battalion (IRB) to the Nongshum camp on Tuesday to secure the area.
The deployment followed consultations between local representatives, residents and the state administration as authorities sought to prevent any further escalation of the situation.