The clashes began after locals blocked three private vehicles ferrying police personnel in plain clothes.
Tensions flared in Manipur’s Bishnupur district on Tuesday after protesters intercepted three private four-wheelers carrying armed security personnel in civilian attire, triggering clashes that left 21 civilians injured. Police said five protesters have been arrested.
Around 1:30 pm, near Thinungei in Bishnupur district, the movement of a security team was blocked by locals following the spread of misleading and unverified rumours about the identity and purpose of the personnel, police said in a statement. A crowd gathered and halted the vehicles, and the situation escalated when some individuals turned violent, damaging and setting two of the vehicles on fire while security personnel were inside.”
“Following the incident, two of the three vehicles were torched by the mob, amid allegations from some locals that they were transporting Kuki armed militants in civilian attire. Multiple teams from the Manipur Police rushed to the spot to control the unrest, which led to clashes with the protesters.
At least 21 protesters suffered minor injuries in the clashes, while five were arrested, police said.
The district magistrate has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita from 5 pm until further notice, restricting public movement.