Imphal, February 3: Tension flared on Monday when a team of government officials and security personnel conducting an assessment related to the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) was attacked with stones at Kanto Premnagar under Sekmai Police Station.
According to official sources, the assessment team - led by the Sub-Divisional Collector (SDC), Sekmai, and accompanied by security forces - had visited Keingam Ching-mang and Kanto Premnagar as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to evaluate ground conditions for IDP resettlement. The security detail included police personnel led by the SDPO, Lamphel, the Officer-in-Charge of Sekmai Police Station, and troops of the Gorkha Rifles stationed at Leimakhong.
While officials were documenting and photographing houses reportedly damaged during earlier violence, a group of local villagers objected to the assessment. The situation escalated when stones were allegedly hurled at the team, forcing officials and security personnel to retreat from the area.
In the incident, one staff member attached to the SDC Sekmai office and one IDP accompanying the team sustained injuries. Both were reported to be out of danger.
Security forces later moved in to disperse the crowd and secure the area, while reinforcements were deployed to prevent further escalation. Authorities said the situation was brought under control, though tensions continued to remain high in the locality.
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Officials stated that the assessment drive was part of a broader, lawful process aimed at verifying conditions for the safe and orderly resettlement of IDPs displaced during the ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur in 2023.
Police have registered a case in connection with the incident and initiated an investigation to identify those involved. The administration warned that strict action would be taken against anyone obstructing official duties or resorting to violence. Security has since been tightened in and around the area to prevent any further untoward incidents.
