Manipur recently witnessed a unique form of public demonstration as thousands of residents across the state’s five valley districts took to the streets to participate in a coordinated protest. Instead of traditional marches or sit-ins, the participants relied on high-decibel noise to signal their frustration and anger. For a period of 30 minutes, neighborhoods resonated with the sound of clanging steel plates, beating drums, and the rhythmic striking of electric poles with hammers.
This demonstration, which took place between 7.30 pm and 8 pm, was organized by the civil society group Federation of Haomee. The event served as a public expression of grief and anger following the killing of three Meitei men in the Sunurok hills of Kangpokpi district on October 19. In a further symbolic gesture, lights were switched off across Imphal for approximately 10 minutes starting at 7.50 pm, adding a dark visual element to the sound-based protest.
While the protest began in residential areas, it eventually saw participants marching toward the Kangla Fort, a site of immense historical and cultural significance as the former seat of Manipur’s kings. Security personnel attempted to block the demonstrators at various junctions, including the Palace Compound, Moirangkhom, and Keisampat. Despite these efforts, several groups managed to reach the gates of the fort. Police eventually deployed tear gas to disperse the crowds that had gathered near the state’s Lok Bhavan, with security forces erecting barricades in the area shortly after 8 pm.
The Federation of Haomee utilized this demonstration to highlight several long-standing demands. Among their primary calls to action are the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), the identification of alleged illegal immigrants, and the formal abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement currently in place with various Kuki armed groups. These issues remain central to the ongoing ethnic conflict that has persisted in the region.
In response to the recent killings, Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam provided an update on the official investigation. A joint security operation involving the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), CoBRA personnel, and local police was launched in the Kangpokpi district. The team conducted a raid on the Sinai camp, a facility designated for groups operating under the SoO agreement. During this operation, 18 individuals were located, of whom 17 were detained for further investigation to determine their affiliations.
Minister Konthoujam confirmed that the search for the perpetrators of the October 19 attack is ongoing. Authorities have already arrested three individuals in connection with the incident, and interrogation processes are underway to gather more information. The government is currently facing significant pressure to restore law and order, as local residents continue to protest the volatile security situation.
Although the demonstration saw thousands of participants and a heavy security presence, officials reported that no injuries or instances of physical violence occurred during the 30-minute event. The protest highlights the deep-seated tensions and the public's demand for government intervention regarding the state’s security architecture and the regulation of armed groups involved in the existing peace agreements. As the investigation into the recent killings continues, the atmosphere in the region remains tense, with the government balancing efforts to manage civil unrest while pursuing those responsible for the violence.
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