Manipur minister says miscommunication caused Bishnupur clash, leaving over 20 injured; security forces deployed and prohibitory orders imposed.
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IMPHAL — Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam on Wednesday said Tuesday’s clash between protesters and security personnel at Thingungei in Bishnupur district was the result of a misunderstanding.
Addressing a press conference in Mantripukhri near Imphal, Govindas appealed to the public to refrain from spreading misinformation.
MLAs from Bishnupur district—Thounaojam Basanta Kumar (Nambol), Tongbram Robindro (Thanga), and Irengbam Nalini Devi (Oinam)—also attended the press conference.
The minister said that the district has remained tense since Tuesday following the incident, which further escalated the situation.
He stated that based on specific inputs, a joint team of the CISF, Assam Rifles, and state forces apprehended a suspected drug peddler, identified as Sabhir Ahmad, at Imphal airport around 10.30 am on Tuesday.
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During interrogation, the accused allegedly revealed the presence of additional drugs and weapons at Kwakta in Bishnupur district.
Accordingly, Assam Rifles personnel in plain clothes escorted him to the location. However, on the way, local women conducting vehicle checks stopped the team, leading to a miscommunication after they suspected a suspicious person inside the vehicle. This created confusion and heightened public suspicion.
Due to the misunderstanding, tensions escalated rapidly and the situation turned violent. Some individuals were injured, a vehicle was set on fire, and unrest spread in the area, he added.
The minister said that security forces, including Assam Rifles and commandos, later arrived and carried out rescue operations, evacuating several people. Local volunteers also assisted in controlling the situation.
He added that state and central security forces, along with the Army, have been deployed, and combing operations are underway to restore normalcy and prevent further unrest. Authorities are working to identify and take action against those responsible at the earliest.
He also informed that the MLAs of Moirang and Kumbi constituencies have been apprised of the situation and necessary steps are being taken.
It may be mentioned that more than 20 persons, including women, were injured in Tuesday’s clash at Thingungei, as locals protested a recent bomb explosion in Tronglaobi that killed two children.
Following the incident, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders from 5 pm on Tuesday until further orders, restricting the movement of people.