More than 22 women and a student leader were injured during clashes over a temporary Assam Rifles outpost at New Heaven in Ukhrul district.
Ukhrul, June 7: More than 22 women and a student leader were injured on Sunday after security personnel and local residents clashed during protests against the establishment of a temporary Assam Rifles (AR) outpost at New Heaven, an area under the jurisdiction of Shokvao village in Manipur's Ukhrul district.
The injured women were taken to Ukhrul District Hospital for treatment. Their identities were not immediately available. The condition of some of the injured could not be independently confirmed.
According to reports from the area, tensions began escalating around 10:30 am when reinforcement teams from the Assam Rifles' Shangshak post attempted to move through Finch Corner towards New Heaven, where troops had reportedly established a temporary post. Residents opposing the move blocked the route by burning tyres and erecting barricades.
Confrontations were reported at Finch Corner, Shokvao village and New Heaven as Assam Rifles personnel attempted to proceed despite resistance from local residents. Protesters have been demanding the withdrawal of troops from the site, arguing that the outpost was established without the consent of the village authority.
During the confrontation at Finch Corner, Katho Katamnao Long (KKL) president Mathotmi Kasar allegedly sustained injuries after being assaulted by security personnel. The allegation was made by the student body and could not be independently verified.
Eyewitnesses claimed that Assam Rifles personnel used batons and fired tear-gas canisters to disperse the crowd. Some protesters also alleged that live rounds were fired from automatic rifles. There was no official confirmation available regarding the alleged firing of live ammunition.
The situation remained tense throughout the day along the Finch Corner–Shokvao–New Heaven–TM Kasom stretch of National Highway 202. Reports indicated that Assam Rifles personnel continued to occupy the temporary post at New Heaven, while local women prepared to maintain an overnight vigil to prevent further reinforcement of the camp.
The dispute over the New Heaven site has been building for several days.
According to local sources, the Shokvao Village Authority had repeatedly requested the Assam Rifles to withdraw personnel from the area. However, residents alleged that these requests were not acted upon.
On June 4, Katho Long, Katho Katamnao Long and the Katho Women Coordination Committee issued a joint statement opposing the establishment of the temporary outpost.
The organisations claimed that the deployment was being carried out without consultation with the village authority and argued that it violated provisions of the Manipur (Village Authorities in Hill Areas) Act, 1956. They also alleged that the move encroached upon village jurisdiction and warned that the Assam Rifles would be responsible for any untoward incident arising from its continued presence at New Heaven.
Following Sunday's clash, the Katho Katamnao Long issued a strongly worded statement condemning the actions of the security personnel.
In the statement, the student organisation alleged that Assam Rifles personnel physically assaulted its president and used excessive force against unarmed civilians, including women. The organisation further alleged that troops conducted lathi charges at Finch Corner and Shokvao village and fired live rounds at New Heaven to disperse demonstrators.
The organisation also made additional allegations against personnel involved in the operation, including claims that some were under the influence of alcohol and that onlookers were threatened with knives. These allegations have not been independently verified, and no response from the Assam Rifles was immediately available.
According to the KKL statement, at least 20 women and its president sustained injuries during the incidents. The organisation described the actions as violations of democratic rights and constitutional protections.
The student body called upon civil society organisations, particularly the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) and Tangkhul Shanao Long, to support efforts to identify the personnel involved and seek action against those responsible.
The KKL also announced a policy of non-cooperation with the Assam Rifles and declared an immediate and indefinite suspension of vehicular movement through roads and highways under Katho jurisdiction, including movement of security personnel.
The organisation said the restrictions would remain in force until three demands were met: a public apology from the Assam Rifles, withdrawal of the temporary outpost at New Heaven and disciplinary action against personnel allegedly involved in the confrontation.
It stated that essential services, emergency healthcare providers and accredited media personnel would remain exempt from the restrictions.
Meanwhile, the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), the apex Tangkhul civil body, also condemned the incidents.
In a statement issued through its media cell, the TNL alleged that Assam Rifles personnel used force against women who were staging what it described as a peaceful democratic protest against the unauthorised establishment of a military outpost.
The organisation claimed that troops fired multiple rounds from automatic rifles, lobbed tear-gas shells and carried out lathi charges at various locations, including New Heaven, Finch Corner and Shokvao village.
The TNL alleged that many people, including elderly women and student activists, were injured in the incidents and said more than 22 women were undergoing treatment at Ukhrul District Hospital.
The body further criticised the conduct of the security force and questioned the circumstances under which the outpost was established without the consent of the village authority.
As of Sunday evening, no official statement from the Assam Rifles regarding the allegations had been made available.
The developments have added to tensions in the area, with local organisations insisting on the withdrawal of the temporary outpost while security personnel continued to remain stationed at New Heaven. The situation remained sensitive, and authorities were closely monitoring developments.
