The picturesque town of Churachandpur in Manipur witnessed unprecedented chaos as a Churachandpur violent protest erupted just one day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to the troubled northeastern state. The demonstration, which began as a peaceful demand for the release of two arrested individuals, quickly escalated into violent confrontations with security forces, marking another chapter in Manipur’s ongoing ethnic tensions.
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Background: The Calm Before the Storm
The Churachandpur violent protest on Sunday, September 15, 2025, came as a stark contrast to the peaceful atmosphere that prevailed during PM Modi’s visit on Saturday. The Prime Minister had visited Churachandpur and Imphal, interacting with violence-affected people and inaugurating development projects worth Rs 8,500 crore. His visit marked the first time he had travelled to Manipur since the ethnic violence began in May 2023, which has claimed over 260 lives.
The seeds of the Sunday violence were sown on Thursday night when two local vandals vandalised decorations that had been put up to welcome the Prime Minister. These decorations, including banners and posters, had been installed across Churachandpur in preparation for Modi’s visit. When police intervened to stop the vandalism and subsequent arson in the Pearsonmun locality, tensions flared, leading to the arrest of the two individuals.
The Eruption: When Demands Turn Violent
Sunday afternoon witnessed the transformation of what began as a legitimate demand into a full-scale Churachandpur violent protest. Residents, primarily from the Kuki-Zo community that forms the majority in Churachandpur district, gathered to demand the immediate release of their two community members who had been arrested for vandalising the PM’s welcome decorations.
The protest quickly took a dangerous turn when the crowd, frustrated by the authorities’ insistence on following legal procedures, attempted to storm the local police station. Security officials reported that the mob’s aggressive behaviour necessitated immediate intervention to prevent the situation from spiralling completely out of control.
Stone Pelting and Security Response
The most alarming aspect of the Churachandpur violent protest was the stone pelting directed at Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel who were deployed to maintain order. Videos from the scene showed an angry mob hurling stones at the security forces, creating a dangerous situation that could have resulted in serious injuries or casualties.
A senior security official explained the gravity of the situation: “Their attempt to storm the police station was repelled by police, using a tear gas charge. The police and administration told them that they would have to secure the release of the two men through legal means.”
The use of a lathi charge became necessary as the crowd refused to disperse peacefully and continued their aggressive approach toward the police station. The Churachandpur violent protest demonstrated how quickly peaceful demonstrations can transform into violent confrontations in the volatile atmosphere of Manipur.
Legal Resolution and De-escalation
Legal Resolution and De-escalationThe crisis was eventually resolved through proper legal channels, exactly as the authorities had insisted from the beginning. The protesters’ lawyer approached the district court, and a duty magistrate conducted a bail hearing for the two arrested men. By evening, both individuals were granted bail, and the Churachandpur violent protest began to subside.
The security official confirmed: “The duty magistrate held a hearing, and the two men were granted bail by the evening. The situation has calmed down after that.” This resolution highlighted the importance of following due process even under pressure from violent demonstrations.
The Ethnic Dimension
The Churachandpur violent protest cannot be viewed in isolation from Manipur’s broader ethnic conflict. Churachandpur serves as the headquarters of a district where the Kuki-Zo community forms the majority, and tensions between different ethnic groups have been simmering since May 2023.
Prior incidents had occurred when rioters tore posters and banners put up to welcome PM Modi, requiring police deployment and lathi charges to disperse the crowds. The fact that the violence erupted specifically over the arrest of individuals who had vandalised decorations for a high-profile visit suggests deeper underlying tensions within the community.
Security Challenges in Manipur
The Churachandpur violent protest exposed the ongoing security challenges in Manipur despite the significant resources deployed in the region. The presence of RAF personnel in the town indicates the heavy security arrangements that have become necessary to maintain even a semblance of peace in the troubled state.
The incident also highlighted how quickly situations can deteriorate in Manipur, where ethnic tensions remain at a boiling point. The fact that violence erupted immediately after what was considered a successful high-profile visit demonstrates the fragile nature of peace in the region.
Civil Society’s Role
Civil Society’s RoleBefore PM Modi’s visit, various civil society organisations in Churachandpur had condemned the vandalism and called for maintaining a peaceful environment. However, the Churachandpur violent protest showed that these appeals had a limited impact on preventing the Sunday violence.
The role of civil society becomes crucial in such situations, as community leaders and organisations need to actively work toward de-escalation and promote dialogue rather than confrontation.
Implications for Peace Efforts
The Churachandpur violent protest serves as a reminder that sustainable peace in Manipur requires more than high-profile visits and development project announcements. While PM Modi’s visit was significant in terms of showing the central government’s attention to the state’s problems, the immediate aftermath demonstrates that deep-rooted issues remain unresolved.
The incident also shows how quickly miscommunication and frustration can lead to violence in such a charged atmosphere. The protesters’ demand for the immediate release of the arrested individuals, rather than waiting for legal processes, reflects a breakdown in trust between communities and law enforcement agencies.
The Churachandpur violent protest represents both a challenge and an opportunity for Manipur’s path toward lasting peace. While the immediate crisis was resolved through legal means and the release of the arrested individuals, the underlying tensions that led to the violence remain unaddressed.
Moving forward, it becomes essential for all stakeholders – government officials, security forces, civil society organisations, and community leaders – to work together in building trust and establishing mechanisms for the peaceful resolution of grievances. The Churachandpur violent protest should serve as a wake-up call that sporadic high-profile visits and development announcements, while important, are not sufficient to address the complex ethnic and social dynamics that continue to plague Manipur.
Only through sustained dialogue, community engagement, and consistent implementation of peace-building measures can incidents like the Churachandpur violent protest be prevented in the future, allowing the beautiful state of Manipur to finally move toward lasting peace and prosperity.
