Thousands of people across Manipur's five valley districts staged a coordinated sound protest on Friday evening, expressing anger over continued killings, the prolonged ethnic conflict and what they described as the government's failure to restore normalcy in the state.
The demonstration, organised following a call by civil society organisation Federation of Haomee, was held between 7.30 pm and 8 pm. Residents in Imphal and other valley localities banged utensils, beat drums, struck electric poles with hammers and sounded vehicle horns for 30 minutes to draw attention to their grievances.
The protesters also raised demands including the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), identification of alleged illegal immigrants and abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with armed groups.
Protesters attempt to march towards Kangla
In Imphal, groups of demonstrators marched towards Kangla, the historic seat of political and cultural authority of the erstwhile kingdom of Manipur. The heritage complex is situated close to Lok Bhavan and the Chief Minister's Secretariat.
Security personnel stopped protesters at several locations, including Palace Compound, Moirangkhom and Keisampat junctions, as they attempted to approach the historic complex. However, hundreds managed to reach Kangla's entrance but were prevented from entering the premises.
The Federation of Haomee had called for people to make noise simultaneously for half an hour to communicate their resentment over the continuing violence and the authorities' handling of the crisis.
Anger over prolonged conflict
The demonstration comes amid continued public frustration over recurring violence and the lack of a lasting resolution to the ethnic conflict that erupted in Manipur in May 2023.
The latest protests also follow the killing of three Meitei men near Sunurok in the Imphal East-Kangpokpi border area on October 19, an incident that triggered demonstrations and renewed demands for action to ensure civilian security.
The organisers sought to turn the coordinated noise into a collective expression of public anger, urging the government to take decisive steps to restore peace and address the demands raised by sections of the population.