Two Naga protesters killed in police firing

IMPHAL: At least two persons were killed and six others were injured at Ukhrul town of Manipur on Saturday when locals clashed with police. Two police personnel were also held hostage by the protesters who torched some government vehicles.
As planned by the United Naga Council (UNC), a large number of Nagas took out rallies at the headquarters of Naga-dominated districts of Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Tamenglong to register their protest against what they termed the ‘the state government’s unabated communal action and policies.’
A conglomerate of several Naga civil bodies of the state, the UNC is demanding an alternative arrangement (AA) for the Nagas in Manipur outside the state government.
In the aftermath of the killing of Ukhrul Autonomous District Council (ADC) member Ngalangzar Malue in an ambush at Finch Corner in the district on July 12 and the subsequent arrest of 8 suspected NSCN (IM) cadres the next day, the district administration clamped prohibitory orders at the town. A large number of policemen, including commandos and India Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel, have been deployed in the town since then.
Trouble began when the protesters tried to march towards the DC’s office to submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the officer, a source said. As police blocked their way, a violent confrontation triggered compelling the cops to open fire, killing two protesters and injuring six others, the source added.
In the melee, two police personnel were held hostage by the agitators who also snatched two service weapons of other cops.
The injured are undergoing treatment at Ukhrul district hospital. The deceased have been identified as M Ramror (37) and Ramkasing (27) of Tuinem village. To control the situation, a strong reinforcement team from Imphal has been rushed to Ukhul, while a high-level security meeting on the matter has also been convened in the state capital.
Among other points, the agitators urged the Centre to find acceptable and honorable settlement of the Indo-Naga issue. They protested against the “militarization of Naga areas, particularly Ukhrul district, by the state government with its forces in utter disrespect of the Naga cease-fire.”
The agitators also denounced the ‘unabated aggressive policies of the state government to encroach upon the ancestral land of the Nagas and tribals through laws, acts and notifications to subvert the protective provisions of the MLR and LR Act, 1960.”