Manipur: Mob Clashes With Security Forces Over Detention of Two Ahead of Modi’s Visit
New Delhi: Tensions escalated in Manipur’s Churachandpur on Sunday (September 14) when a mob clashed with security forces to protest the detention of two men held for allegedly vandalising decorations put up ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the strife-torn state.
On the night of September 11 (Thursday), banners and cutouts of Modi put up Pearsonmun and Phailien Bazaar were vandalised by agitators. While many of those detained by the police were released, two young men who had been picked up on Friday were kept in custody.
The two were charged with unlawful assembly, rioting, mischief, obstructing public servants from discharging their duty and damage to public property, the Telegraph reported.
A mob, demanding their release, gathered near the Churachandpur police station on Sunday and pelted stones at the security forces.
Also read: Nine Issues in Manipur That Remain Unresolved Despite Modi’s Belated Visit
“The two individuals were not randomly detained as claimed by the protesters, but were picked up from the site of vandalism for questioning,” an officer of the district police told the Hindu reported.
According to the Telegraph, the protesters dismantled the gate of the police station, mocked the security forces and sang the national anthem while demanding the release of the two men.
The police fired tear-gas shells to disperse the mob, the report said, but no injuries were reported.
Churachandpur superintendent P. Pandey urged the protesters to end the standoff while the bail plea of the men was being heard in a local court, the report said.
The situation calmed down after the two men were granted bail and subsequently released.
Saturday (September 13) marked the prime minister’s first visit to Manipur since ethnic violence broke out in the state in May 2023. In addition to Churachandpur, Modi also visited Meitei-majority Imphal during his visit.
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