IMPHAL, NOV 24: Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Dolaithabi, Ekou and Yengkhuman tried to return to their villages on Monday, saying they would not continue staying in relief camps while the Sangai Festival was underway. The attempt led to a confrontation with security forces and several rounds of tear-gas firing.
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IDPs from different camps gathered at Pukhao Terapur around 10 am. and marched towards their homes. They were first stopped at Dolaithabi Dam, but the group managed to move past security and reach the outskirts of their villages before being pushed back by BSF, CRPF, RAF and state police teams.
The situation turned tense when the protestors reportedly spotted some Kuki miscreants in the area who allegedly mocked them. Security personnel intervened to prevent a clash, and tear gas was fired soon after.
Several people were injured, including two students. One of them, a Class 12 student of CC Higher Secondary School, suffered a head injury and other wounds. Both students were detained for a short time, accused of damaging security vehicles, and later released. They are now undergoing treatment.
Tension rose again when security forces fired multiple rounds of tear gas near the entrance of Sagolmang Community Health Centre (CHC), where some of the injured were being taken. The firing caused panic among patients, attendants and schoolchildren nearby. CHC authorities condemned the incident, saying the action put patients at risk.
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Women protestors gathered outside the CHC after some detainees and seized vehicles were brought there by security forces. They blocked the road, demanding the release of those held. More tear gas was fired even as patients and students were present around the hospital. Footage from the scene shows tear-gas shells landing close to the CHC building.
Several local residents were also detained during the day’s events.