A protest against the Sangai Festival spiralled into security concerns yesterday after a woman protestor allegedly assaulted IGP (Zone–I) Themthing Ngashangva, and the mob later gained access to the Palace compound with the help of house guards of the MP, obstructing police action, according to an official post by the Manipur Police Facebook page.
As per the police statement, around 50 to 60 COCOMI volunteers emerged from Govindajee Crossing at about 1:15 PM, shouting slogans and carrying placards opposing the conduct of the Sangai Festival 2025.
The group marched toward Hapta Kangjeibung in violation of the prohibitory order issued by the District Magistrate, Imphal East.
Police personnel, including women officers, repeatedly attempted to block and disperse the protesters peacefully.
However, the situation escalated when the mob allegedly became violent, throwing water bottles and placards at the security detail.
During the altercation, a woman protestor is said to have used derogatory racial slurs and physically assaulted the IGP, who was supervising operations at the frontline.
According to the Manipur Police post, the group then moved toward the Palace area, where the house guards of the MP permitted them entry, which the police said hindered their efforts to control the situation.
The department clarified that the IGP approached the gate only to question the guards’ actions and did not step inside the protected premises.
A criminal case has been registered at Porompat Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
The offences cited include assault on a public servant, obstruction of duty, breaching security barricades, use of racial slurs, and unauthorised approach toward a protected premises.
Efforts are underway to identify the woman accused of assaulting the IGP through video footage and eyewitness testimony.
The Manipur Police maintained that their personnel acted with “restraint and professionalism,” stressing that only the minimum force required to restore order was used.
