Imphal: Fresh violence erupted in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Saturday just after the resumption of free movement and bus services in the strife-torn state.
Sources said that fresh violence broke out in the Kangpokpi district when the state administration resumed bus services from Imphal to Senapati via Kangpokpi district and from Imphal to Churachandpur via Bishnupur.
Violence erupted at Gampiphai in Kangpokpi after a mob from the Kuki community blocked the bus and pelted stones, disrupting the newly resumed service.
In response, security forces deployed tear gas and used batons to disperse the mob, leaving several people injured.
The demonstration by anti-free movement groups also caused traffic disruption on the vital road.
On March 1, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting with Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla where he announced that free movement will resume across the state from March 8.
The Imphal-hill bound bus service resumed after 22 months of ethnic violence, following Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s directive to ensure free movement across all routes in the state.
In Kangpokpi, village volunteers reportedly blocked the road with logs and stones. A bus was also allegedly set on fire, leading to clashes between locals and security personnel deployed to maintain order.
Locals, however, alleged that several village volunteers were injured as the security forces resorted to lathi charges to contain the situation.
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This marks the second attempt to restart public transport on these routes.
A previous effort in December failed due to a lack of passengers at the Manipur State Transport station in Moirangkhom, Imphal.
