At least 22 Naga women hurt in stand off with AR men

Mungchan Zimik
UKHRUL, Jun 7 : Members of the Katho Women Organisation on Sunday staged a protest against the Assam Rifles, demanding the immediate removal of its camp from New Heaven Hill at Shokvao village, Ukhrul district and braved the lathis raised down upon them.
In the stand off, Ukhrul Times reported that at least twenty-two Tangkhul Naga Meira Paibis (women torch bearers) were injured during a confrontation with the Assam Rifles in Ukhrul District, Manipur, between 3.30 and 4 pm today. According to reports from the Ukhrul District Hospital, all twenty-two injuries have been confirmed.
The incidents took place in two separate locations: one in New Heaven, under the jurisdiction of Shokvao village, and the other in Finch Corner, under the jurisdiction of Shangshak village. The injured individuals are currently receiving treatment at the Ukhrul District Hospital.
Sunday’s incident allegedly occurred under the command of Commanding Officer Sunil Singh of the 40th Assam Rifles Battalion, Shangshak, according to sources associated with the protest.
Additionally, it was reported that the president of the Katho Katamnao Long (Katho Student Union), Mathotmi Kasar, was targeted and beaten by the Assam Rifles personnel.
In a widely circulated video on social media, Assam Rifles personnel were seen lathi-charging the women torch bearers, and several rounds of ammunition were reportedly fired during the confrontation.
Sources indicated that the clash at New Heaven (Shokvao Village) occurred when the women demanded that the Assam Rifles vacate an outpost established in their village without proper approval. Villagers have previously urged the Assam Rifles personnel to leave their jurisdiction on multiple occasions.
According to local sources, the women have been protesting since Saturday, alleging that the Assam Rifles occupied the area without obtaining prior permission from the village headman.
They expressed a loss of faith and confidence in the Central security forces.
The protesters remained steadfast in their demand, continuing their agitation and pressuring the Assam Rifles to vacate and relocate the camp from the New Heaven area.
The protest intensified at around 3 pm on Sunday.
Subsequently, security personnel reportedly resorted to firing in the air and other measures to disperse the demonstrators from the area.
The protesters burned tyres to block vehicular movement and erected makeshift gates to monitor and restrict movement in the vicinity.
Reports also said that M Kasar, president of the Katho Students' Organisation, sustained injuries during a baton charge by security personnel.
The confrontation lasted several hours.
Tensions remained high in the area as the women protesters insisted on the immediate withdrawal of the Assam Rifles post from New Heaven.
It may be mentioned that the Katho Katamnao Long (Katho Students’ Union), Katho Long, and the Katho Women Coordination Committee (KWCC) had jointly condemned the establishment of an outpost by the Assam Rifles at New Heaven.
They expressed sharp disapproval of the deployment of 40 Assam Rifles personnel at the location, alleging that the force established the outpost without consulting, informing, or obtaining prior permission from the village authority.
In a joint press communiqué issued on June 4, the organisations contended that the move constitutes a violation of the Manipur (Village Authorities in Hill Areas) Act, 1956, and undermines the authority and jurisdiction of the local village administration.
Describing the establishment of the outpost as an act of encroachment upon the village’s jurisdiction, the organisations stated that such actions are unacceptable and pose a direct challenge to the authority of the village authority.
They further claimed that the village authority had, on multiple occasions, informed the Assam Rifles and requested the withdrawal of its personnel from the location.