In Manipur, thousands of people demanding lasting peace clashed with police on Saturday. They were marching towards the Chief Minister’s residence but were stopped by security forces. Protesters attempted to break police barricades, after which security personnel used multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse the crowd. The demonstrators raised slogans and held placards, demanding justice for two children killed in a recent bomb blast in Bishnupur district, as well as the rehabilitation of internally displaced people affected by ethnic violence. Later, a group of protesters was allowed to meet Chief Minister Y Khamechand Singh, to whom they submitted a memorandum regarding their demands. See the incident in 5 pictures Rallies stopped, security around CM’s residence tightened Protesters under the banner of the Meitei organisation COCOMI (Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity) took out four separate rallies, which were stopped at different locations. They were moving towards the Chief Minister’s residence in the Babupada area. Officials said additional security forces were deployed and barricades were set up in all four directions leading to the CM’s residence. In Imphal East district, at Khurai Lamlong, protesters tried to break police barricades around 2 km from the CM’s residence. Protest to intensify COCOMI convenor YK Dhiren, after meeting the Chief Minister, told reporters that the organisation, along with the public, will intensify the movement to press for their demands. He said that since 3 May 2023, no concrete solution has emerged to the Manipur crisis, alleging a lack of decisive political will and that contradictory statements have hindered peace efforts. COCOMI spokesperson Nahakpam Shanta Singh had earlier said the organisation is demanding an Action Taken Report from the government regarding the 7 April bomb blast in Tronglaobi in which two children were killed. He said, “Along with this, we have raised several other demands. If the government fails to respond, we will be compelled to adopt other democratic forms of protest.” Manipur unrest since May 2023 More than 260 people have been killed and thousands displaced since ethnic violence between the Meitei community of the Imphal Valley and the Kuki community in the surrounding hills began on 3 May 2023. Manipur was under President’s Rule for a year, and a new government was formed on 4 February. The violence in Manipur between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities began in May 2023 and continued into early 2025. During the unrest, incidents of arson, looting, and killings were reported in several areas. Thousands were displaced and forced to live in relief camps. Then Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned on 9 February 2025 amid mounting political pressure over his government’s inability to control the violence. Following his resignation, President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur on 13 February 2025. Nearly a year later, on 4 February 2026, a new government was formed in the state, with BJP’s Yumnam Khemchand Singh sworn in as Chief Minister.
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