The Federation of Haomee, a civil‑society group, called on residents of Manipur’s five valley districts to hold a ‘sound protest’ on Friday evening, urging them to express frustration over the ongoing ethnic violence that has killed dozens and displaced thousands.
Between 7:30 and 8:00 pm, protestors in Imphal rattled kettles and pots, hammered electric poles, and blew horns, while a few carried drums that rattled against the city’s concrete streets. The demonstration was aimed at drawing the attention of the state government, which has been criticised for failing to resolve the conflict.
Police moved to contain the crowds at Palace Compound, Moirangkhom, and Keisampat junctions, but hundreds forced their way into the historic Kangla fort. Lights were switched off across the capital for roughly ten minutes, after which tear‑gas shells were fired to disperse the assembly.
A protester told reporters that they had been pleading for years, and the crowd’s noise was meant to make leaders hear their pain. The protest, which began in response to the Federation’s call, ended with no injuries reported. While the crowd dispersed, authorities erected barricades near Lok Bhavan, and the state government announced it would review the security response.