Manipur Police: “Personnel Acted With Restraint and Professionalism” Amid Mob Attack
Mob Attempts to March Toward Sangai Festival Venue; Woman Protestor Assaults IGP, Says Manipur Police
A group of around 50–60 individuals, identified by Manipur Police as volunteers of COCOMI, attempted to march toward the Sangai Festival 2025 venue at Hapta Kangjeibung on Thursday afternoon in violation of prohibitory orders issued by the District Magistrate of Imphal East.
According to an official police statement, the mob emerged from Govindajee Crossing at around 1:15 PM, carrying placards and shouting slogans against the conduct of the festival. Security personnel stationed in the area made repeated attempts to stop and peacefully disperse the protestors.
IGP (Zone–I) Themthing Ngashangva, IPS, was present on the ground supervising the situation. Police teams, including women officers, made multiple efforts to halt the advancing group. However, the protestors reportedly turned violent, throwing water bottles and placards at the police. In a serious incident, a woman protestor allegedly assaulted the IGP and hurled derogatory racial slurs at him while he was carrying out his duty.
The mob later moved toward the Palace premises, where, according to the police, house guards of the Hon’ble MP allowed the group inside, obstructing the operational efforts of the security teams. The IGP approached the gate to question the action of the house guards but did not enter the Palace premises, the statement clarified.
A criminal case has been registered at Porompat Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The charges include assault on a public servant, obstruction of duty, breaching security barricades, use of racial slurs, and unauthorised movement toward a protected area. Efforts are currently underway to identify the woman protestor involved in the assault using video footage and witness accounts.
The Manipur Police reiterated that its personnel exercised restraint and professionalism throughout the incident and used only the minimum force required to restore order.