Ukhrul: Tension flared in Bishnupur District’s Kumbi area on Tuesday when Central Security Forces briefly detained eleven Village Volunteers along with their weapons. Although the volunteers were eventually released, their weapons remained confiscated, prompting irate locals to gather at the Kumbi Police Station, demanding the release of the weapons.
According to sources, Maha Regiment Personnel arrived in a Casper vehicle around 2 am and detained the village volunteers on duty in Kumbi, seizing their weapons and two Gypsy vehicles. The news of the seizure and arrests led to agitation among local Meira Paibi members and the public.
Following the agitation, the eleven village volunteers and two Gypsy vehicles were released. However, tension escalated when news spread that the Indian Army had arrived at the Kumbi Police Station to deliver the seized weapons. A scuffle ensued between security forces and Meira Paibi women, resulting in the central forces firing blank shots. Some protestors sustained injuries during the incident.
Reports also indicate that women blocked the path of the Indian Army, demanding the release of the confiscated weapons. Later in the day, Thanga MLA T. Robindro and Bishnupur District SP Ksh. Rabikumar arrived at the scene to calm the crowd. They engaged in discussions with the crowd in an attempt to diffuse the tense situation.
According to Manipur Police, “a column of Mahar Regiment intercepted and detained 11 armed miscreants dressed in police fatigues around 2:30 AM on Tuesday. From their possession, the following items, 3 AK rifles (7 magazines and 210 ammunitions), 5 INSAS (13 magazines and 260 ammunitions), 2 SLR (9 magazines and 180 ammunitions, 2 hand grenades and bullet proof jackets and other items were recovered and taken into custody.”