Nagas Protest in Delhi Against Sec-144 Imposition in Manipur's Ukhrul District

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ON 16 August 2014, a protest by Naga students in Delhi turned violent, leaving at least three people severely injured when police intervened to disperse the crowd outside Manipur Bhawan, New Delhi. Around 500 Naga youths had gathered to protest the imposition of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in Manipur's Ukhrul district.

The protest was organized by the Tangkhul Katamnao Long, Delhi (TKLD) under the banner “Committee Against the Imposition of CrPC 144 in Ukhrul”. The imposition of the law followed the assassination of Ngalangzar Malue, the former Vice Chairman of Ukhrul Autonomous District Council, who was killed by unidentified assailants at Finch Corner on July 12. Although eight cadres of the NSCN (IM) were arrested in connection with the killing, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

In response, the state government imposed Section 144 in Ukhrul District, restricting public gatherings, and deployed police commandos and Indian Reserved Battalion (IRB) personnel to maintain order.

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal