Tension gripped Manipur’s Senapati town on the night of July 14 following reports of a confrontation between the Assam Rifles and the Naga Army near the Huthrong Brigade Headquarters, a designated Naga Army camp under the jurisdiction of Oklong village.
According to sources, the unrest began after information allegedly circulated that security forces were planning to conduct an operation at the Naga Army camp in Oklong village. Messages regarding the reported standoff started spreading on social media at around 9:02 pm, calling on members of the public to assemble at the traffic point in Senapati town for what was described as “necessary action.”
Following the circulation of the messages, a large crowd gathered in the town before marching towards the Assam Rifles Company Operating Base (COB), demanding that the security force withdraw from the Oklong area.
During the protest, a parked Alto car outside the COB gate was set on fire, while a nearby waiting shed was also torched by the protesters.
Sources said the situation initially appeared to calm after reports emerged that the Assam Rifles had withdrawn from Oklong. However, while security personnel were returning, some protesters allegedly overturned an Assam Rifles truck and set two Assam Rifles Gypsy vehicles ablaze.
Security forces reportedly used tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control.
No official statement had been issued at the time of filing this report regarding the reported confrontation or the alleged operation at the Naga Army camp. Authorities have since heightened security across the area and are closely monitoring the situation.
