10 hurt , 5 arrested as protesters clash with SFs transporting Kukis

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 24: At least 10 persons sustained injuries while five others were arrested as a large number of people confronted a security convoy transporting Kukis at Namdilong village at the border of Imphal West and Kangpokpi districts under Sekmai police station.
The incident happened 30 minutes past midnight today along Imphal-Dimapur highway.
On learning that a convoy of security forces was transporting 30 Kukis on the highway from Imphal to Kangpokpi, a large number of angry protesters came out and blocked the highway.
The protesters burnt tyres and placed other hard objects including big rocks and tree branches in the middle of the highway to prevent security personnel from transporting Kukis to Kang-pokpi from Imphal Airport.
As the security convoy reached Namdilong village and attempted to force their way past the blockade, a confrontation broke out between the protesters and the security personnel transporting Kuki, sources said.
For around 30 minutes, the security personnel fired innumerable rounds of tear gas shells and mock bombs to disperse the protesters blocking the road.
At least 10 protesters sustained injuries in the security forces’ action while five others were arrested.
The arrested protesters were later handed over to the Sekmai police station before they were released at around 4.45 pm today.
According to the sources, security personnel escorting Kukis from Imphal Airport up to their respective places has become routine since the past few days.  
On the other hand, locals of Makhan and Namdilong have imposed an indefinite bandh along Imphal-Dimapur highway from early this morning protesting the brutal crackdown unleashed by security forces against protesters.