UKHRUL/IMPHAL — High tension gripped New Heaven village along the crucial Imphal-Ukhrul road after locals launched massive protests against the establishment of a new Assam Rifles outpost in the area.
The unrest reportedly began when villagers discovered that a security post was being set up by the 40th Assam Rifles without any prior consultation or dialogue with the local community. Demanding an immediate halt to the construction, residents gathered in large numbers near the proposed site to stage a demonstration.
Escalation and Allegations of Force
The situation quickly turned volatile when security personnel moved in to disperse the gathering. According to local sources, security forces resorted to blank firing into the air to bring the crowd under control.
However, the local community has leveled serious allegations against the paramilitary force:
- Unauthorized Firing: Villagers claimed that Assam Rifles personnel fired several rounds in the complete absence of local police or an executive magistrate, violating standard operational protocols.
- Lathi-Charge: Protesters also alleged that forces used physical force and lathi-charges to break up the peaceful gathering.
Current Ground Status
The local residents are steadfast in their demand for the complete removal of the proposed Assam Rifles post from their village limits. As per the latest ground updates available to NE Headlines, the atmosphere in New Heaven village remains highly charged. While villagers refuse to back down from their protest, security forces continue to maintain a heavy presence in the area to prevent further escalation.
