Guwahati: A peace rally planned by the Kuki Students Organization-GHQ and tribal civil organisations and forums descended into violence when protesters and police officers came into conflict in Kangpokpi of Manipur district.
This comes after the organizers of the rally had appealed to people participating in the rally not to indulge in any ”untoward incidents”.
“As per the notification and Public Appeal made by the KSO-GHQ on 9 March 2023, the KSO-SH would like to appeal to the public of Kangpokpi District that KSO-SH will carry out the proposed peaceful Mass Rally at any cost. This is being notified as the KSO SH deems it an illegitimate use of power for a Deputy Commissioner to enforce Crpc 144 upon Indian citizens’ movement for a peaceful rally as empowered by the Indian constitution under Article 19. Any misuse of power can and will be duly addressed in a court of Law as NOBODY is above the law,” said the organization in an official statement.
”We appeal to the general public of Kangpokpi District to be united and exercise their fundamental right to peaceful assembly and protest without any apprehension. God be with us,” the statement added.
Videos of the incidents including one when a police officer and a civilian engaged in combat with sticks in Kangpokpi have gone viral.
It is important to note that Crpc 144 was suspended with “immediate effect” by the district magistrates of Tengnoupal Ranjan Yumnam, IAS, Churachandpur Sharath Chandra Arroju, IAS and Kangpokpi, respectively, the day before the planned mass rally on March 10.
On January 23, the Joint Coordination Committee on Tribal Rights in Manipur (JCCOTR-M) reported that hundreds of villagers had been displaced by the State government’s recent eviction drive in the hill areas, particularly in Kangchup Chiru in the Kangchup Geljang sub-division and K Songjang village in the Henglep sub-division.