Indian Security Forces Open Fire on Peaceful Protestors in ‪‎‪‎Manipur · Global Voices
Rezwan

Protests in Ukhrul on August 30, 2014 defying govt ban on rallies and sit-ins. Image courtesy Facebook page of the Protest Against SEC 144 Crpc Promulgation in Ukhrul.
At least two persons were shot dead and more than 10 injured after Security Forces opened fire on protestors in ‪‎Ukhrul, a district nearly 85 kilometres from the capital of the Indian state of Manipur, on Saturday, August 30, 2014.
The current unrest in Ukhrul dates back to mid-July, when an unidentified gunman assassinated Ngalangzar Malue, a member of the local Autonomous District Council. No one has claimed responsibility of the murder.
On July 13, the Government of Manipur sent hundreds of Manipur Police Commando (MPC) and Indian Reserved Battalion (IRB) into Ukhrul, where officers arrested eight cadres of the Naga separatist group, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM). The government also imposed “Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1973,” which empowers a magistrate to prohibit an assembly of more than ten people in any single area. Until this summer, a “ceasefire” between the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) had been in place since 1997.
According to the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), the imposition of Section 144 has suspended the freedom of movement for the people in and around of Ukhrul District Headquarters, harming local businesses and interferring with everyday life. The people of Ukhrul have protested the imposition of Section 144, demonstrating peacefully on several occasions. A timeline of the rallies can be found here.
On a dedicated Facebook page, activists have documented the protests since the middle of August.
Protests to stop militarisation at Ukhrul. Image courtesy the Facebook page of the Protest Against SEC 144 Crpc Promulgation in Ukhrul.
On August 11, 2014, police disrupted sit-ins planned in more than 20 places across Ukhrul.
Protesters met with resistance by security forces. Image courtesy the Facebook page of the Protest Against SEC 144 Crpc Promulgation in Ukhrul.
Over five hundred Naga students in India's capital also joined the protests near the Manipur Bhavan in Delhi and shouted slogans such as “Go Back IRBs and Commandos” and “Revoke 144 CrPC”. Phungshok Khonreiwoshi, the president of Tangkhul Student’s Union, Delhi told the press:
The chronic hostility of the Government towards the hill tribes and the constant weakening of the constitutional provisions safeguarded for the hill people are absolutely unacceptable. The attempt of the government is nothing but to usurp the right of the hill people and in particular the Naga’s right to free practice of customary law, ownership of land and civil autonomy.
Some protestors in Delhi were beaten up by police on August 17, 2014.
Protesters outside Manipur Bhavan beaten by Police Curfew in #Ukhrul (Manipur) since 34 days,CrPC section 144 imposed http://t.co/enBPUFJ8iY
— letsbehumane (@lets_be_humane) August 19, 2014
The United Naga Council, an apex organisation of the Nagas in Manipur, declared that mass rallies will be held on August 30 in four Naga-dominated district headquarters of Tamenglong, Senapati, Ukhrul and Chandel in Manipur. Demonstrators’ primary demand is that the national government expedite the resolution of an acceptable and honourable settlement of the Indo-Naga issues and expediting the peace process. The rallies also oppose the alleged militarisation of the Ukhrul district, which ostensibly violates the Indo-Naga ceasefire. On the evening of August 29, however, the district's local government stationed loudspeakers throughout the area, announcing that police would not allow any public gathering, as Section 144 was still in force in the area. With protesters already committed to the next day's demonstration, clashes on August 30 became sadly inevitable.
Naga people protesting on August 30, 2014. Image courtesy Facebook page of the Protest Against SEC 144 Crpc Promulgation in Ukhrul.
The next day, on Saturday, August 30, thousands of Nagas from nearby villages came out in Ukhrul town in support of the rally from 11 am defying the bans. At around 2:20 pm, protestors forced through police barricades and gathered at a nearby ground to read out a memorandum to be submitted to the Prime Minister of India. Soon disturbance broke out and the Manipur State Commandos and Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) opened fire on peaceful demonstrators outside the Ukhrul district headquarters, killing two persons and injuring many. The deceased were identified as Ramkashing Vashi (age 26) and R. Mayopam (age 31). Online, Facebook users posted photographs of the protests and the victims. Kahorpam Horam shared still more photos from the scene of the mayhem in Ukhrul. (Warning: hyperlinks contain graphic images.)
Twitter users Philachui Sareo and Binalakshmi Nepram described the shooting as it occurred:
Injured being treated after Police Commandoes & India Reserved Battalion opened fire on Protestors killing 3 #Manipur pic.twitter.com/FR5x3EWvUR
— Binalakshmi Nepram (@BinaNepram) August 30, 2014
Innocent live lost #Ukhrul pic.twitter.com/Hxehpa1XAY
— Philachui Sareo (@SareoPhila) August 30, 2014
The militarization of #India‘s democracy must end.This not what founders,nation envisaged. #RepealAFSPA Remove CrPC 144 in #Ukhrul #Manipur
— Binalakshmi Nepram (@BinaNepram) August 30, 2014
RT @khanthing Apart from the District police, other 2 units that fired upon protesters in #ukhrul , Manipur were counter-insurgency units.
— Philachui Sareo (@SareoPhila) August 30, 2014
As social media exploded with news of the carnage in Ukhrul, India's mainstream media remained largely silent. Ngathingpei Khayi, for instance, pointed out the lack of coverage in India's mass media.
Two #shot #dead n many #injured in #Ukhrul my homtwn by #police at a #PeaceRally. Nowhr in #news. #Shame #Sad @ndtv @cnnibn @timesnow
— Ngathingpei Khayi (@nkhayi) August 30, 2014