1 injured in Manipur cop firing to quell stir against BDO opening

Thoubal: One person sustained bullet injuries after police on Tuesday fired multiple rounds to disperse protesters opposing the inauguration of a block development office (BDO) at Wangjing by Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh, amid protests over the recent Tronglaobi killings in which two children were killed in a bomb attack.

Demonstrators blocked National Highway-102 at multiple locations and obstructed other key roads leading to the BDO office, forcing the chief minister to take a chopper to Phundrei and travel the remaining distance by road to proceed with the planned inauguration on Tuesday afternoon.

With protests intensifying, Meira Paibi groups in Thoubal district on Monday announced a boycott of the chief minister’s visit for the inauguration. On Monday night, a mob assaulted a Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel with iron rods while the person was on duty at the Wangjing BDO office. Security deployment was stepped up in the district as tensions remained high.

Manipur Police said a large group armed with stones and catapults advanced toward Tuesday’s programme venue with an apparent intent to vandalise the newly constructed BDO office.

“Despite repeated warnings and appeals by police personnel to disperse, the crowd continued to move aggressively, posing a serious threat to public property, dignitaries present, and overall law and order. In view of the escalating situation, minimum necessary force was applied. As a last resort, controlled firing was undertaken in strict adherence to established protocols to disperse the mob and neutralise the threat,” police said.

Police said Elangbam Nandbir Singh (40) was injured during the action.

“I recently visited many hill districts and there were no opposition to my visit there. But I am surprised by the protest in Thoubal district against my visit,” the CM said. He added that differences could be resolved through talks.