GUWAHATI: The hostilities in strife-torn Manipur show no signs of abating. In a fresh wave of violence reported from Imphal East on Thursday, eight people, including five women, were injured when security forces clashed with a group of women attempting to obstruct their path towards the gunfight site.
The early hours of morning saw armed miscreants attack Sabungkhok Khunou, a village in the district bordering Kangpokpi. Reports suggest that they used a nearby brickfield as a makeshift bunker, firing sophisticated weaponry at nearby settlements.
Village defenders retaliated, with the gunfight continuing until the intervention of the BSF, who managed to momentarily suppress the attackers. However, by the afternoon, these attackers resumed, launching a more ferocious assault involving bombs.
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The violence spurred panic among neighbouring villages. Women from these villages staged a blockade on roads leading to the gunfight area, condemning the renewed aggression in spite of promises from Central security to safeguard them.
This blockade hindered the movement of the 20 Jat Regiment and 5/4 Gorkha Rifles. Security forces responded to the women’s refusal to clear the way with tear gas, mock bombs, and baton charges, severely injuring at least five women, who were subsequently hospitalised in Imphal.
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In another worrying development, journalists covering the event faced obstruction from security forces. They were not only prevented from reporting but were also forced to erase their footage. This gross violation drew strong condemnation from journalist associations.
Both the All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) and Editors’ Guild Manipur (EGM) censured the security forces’ behaviour. Their joint statement highlighted the attack as an infringement on freedom of speech and a bid to suppress the press.
Both bodies plan to submit a memorandum addressing the repeated attacks on media since May 3, 2023, to Unified Command chairman Kuldiep Singh and Manipur’s Governor, Anusuiya Uikey. Highlighting the perilous environment, the joint statement urged security forces to respect and not hinder media personnel from fulfilling their duties.
