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Manipur IDPs Clash With Security at Yaingangpokpi Over Blocked Return

Displaced families challenge official claims of normalcy during the tightly guarded Sangai Festival.

Overview

  • Hundreds from relief camps attempted to march from Yaingangpokpi toward Gwaltabi to re-enter their homes but were stopped at a restricted zone.
  • Security forces used tear gas, mock bombs, and lathi charge to disperse the crowd, while protesters alleged that live rounds were fired.
  • Reports counted seven to eight injured, including Impact TV journalist P. Bobo, one police personnel, several IDPs, and local residents.
  • Imphal East’s district collector and superintendent of police met protesters, cited law-and-order concerns, and said safe return was under consideration as a sit-in continued under a police cordon.
  • The Sangai Festival recorded roughly 8,000–9,000 visitors over nine days under heavy security, far below 2022’s 2.19 lakh, as IDPs and civil society groups pressed for immediate resettlement.