Public anger spilled onto the streets of Imphal as protesters burnt effigies od Manipur Chief Minister and demanded accountability for the latest violence, highlighting the fragile security situation.
BY PC Bureau
October 21, 2026: A protest over the killing of three Meitei civilians in Kangpokpi district of Manipur turned tense in Imphal on Wednesday, with police firing tear gas shells and stun grenades to prevent demonstrators from marching towards a sports complex where Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam were attending a taekwondo championship.
At least six protesters were injured in the police action near Khurai Lamlong Bridge, including three women, according to reports. Four of the injured were admitted to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), while two others were taken to Raj Medicity for treatment.
The confrontation unfolded as the first Manipur State Poomsae Taekwondo Championship was being held at the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex in Imphal West. The event, attended by the two ministers and delegates from South Korea, took place amid a state-wide 48-hour shutdown and mourning following the killing of three Meitei civilians earlier in the week.
Protesters attempted to move towards the venue, objecting to the ministers’ participation in a public event while tensions remained high over the latest killings. Police resorted to tear gas and stun grenades as demonstrators tried to advance near the Lamlong area.
The demonstrators accused the government of failing to ensure security and demanded accountability for the deaths. They also questioned the decision to hold a public function while the state was observing mourning and a shutdown in response to the violence.
READ: Several Killed as Manipur Militants Clash With KNA-B on Myanmar Border
The latest unrest in Imphal follows the killing of three Meitei firewood collectors by unidentified armed assailants at Sunurok Hills in Kangpokpi district on Monday morning, October 19. The incident sparked widespread anger and prompted the 48-hour general shutdown across Manipur.
Despite the police action, a large number of protesters remained in the Lamlong area, continuing their demonstration against the killings and what they described as the deteriorating security situation.
Imphal, Manipur: Supporters of a 48-hour statewide bandh attempted to storm Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium, demanding cancellation of the State Poomsae Taekwondo Championship-2026. Security personnel fired mock bombs and tear gas shells to disperse protesters. The bandh was called following the killing of three civilians in an armed attack on October 19.
— IANS (@ians_india) October 21, 2026
In a separate protest at Khabeisoi in Imphal East district, demonstrators burnt effigies of Chief Minister Khemchand Singh, Home Minister Konthoujam and Rajya Sabha MP A Sarda Devi. The protesters condemned the killings and expressed support for the shutdown.
The demonstrations reflect mounting public anger over the continuing violence and the authorities’ handling of security in Manipur. The October 19 killings have further heightened tensions in a state already grappling with prolonged unrest and deep divisions between communities.
The police action against Wednesday’s demonstrators in Imphal is likely to add to questions over the administration’s response to public anger, even as authorities face renewed pressure to prevent further violence and ensure the safety of civilians.
Comments 1