Manipur's High-Decibel 'Sound Protest': Why Thousands Banged Utensils, Honked Horns In Anger

News india Manipur's High-Decibel 'Sound Protest': Why Thousands Banged Utensils, Honked Horns In Anger

Last Updated:October 24, 2026, 15:24 IST

For 30 minutes, the streets of Manipur echoed with the sounds of clanging metal, beating drums and blaring horns as thousands participated in a coordinated demonstration.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Indians banged plates and utensils to applaud those fighting the virus. On Friday, the same sound echoed across Manipur, but this time, it was an expression of anger.

Thousands of people across the state’s five valley districts took to the streets, banging steel plates and kitchen utensils, beating drums, striking electric poles with hammers and honking vehicle horns to express their anger over the continuing crisis in the state.

The 30-minute “sound protest", organised by the Federation of Haomee between 7.30 pm and 8 pm, came amid renewed anger over the killing of three Meitei men in Kangpokpi district earlier this week.

Utensils, Drums And Horns: Manipur’s Unusual Protest

Unlike conventional demonstrations involving marches, rallies and sit-ins, Friday’s protest relied on sound as its primary means of expression. From kitchen utensils and vehicle horns to electric poles struck with hammers, everyday objects became instruments of protest.

The use of sound also has a cultural resonance in Manipur, where traditional drums, cymbals and conch shells have long been associated with religious ceremonies and cultural performances. The pung, a traditional Manipuri drum, and kartal, or cymbals, are integral to the state’s Sankirtana tradition, while conch shells are also used in these performances.

The demonstration on Friday drew thousands of participants, with protesters raising slogans and demanding measures to restore peace and security.

The Federation of Haomee, a civil society organisation, had called for the demonstration to draw attention to the continuing ethnic conflict and press for action on several demands.

Among the key demands were the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), identification of alleged illegal immigrants and abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki armed groups.

The demonstration also saw lights being switched off across Imphal around 7.50 pm for nearly 10 minutes, adding a symbolic blackout to the coordinated display of sound.

Protesters March Towards Kangla Fort, Police Fire Tear Gas

As the demonstration continued, protesters began marching towards Kangla Fort, the ancient political and cultural centre of the erstwhile Manipur kingdom.

Kangla served as the seat of Manipur’s rulers until 1891 and remains one of the state’s most important historical and cultural landmarks. The fort also holds religious significance for the Meitei community, making it a prominent symbol of Manipur’s history and heritage.

The historic complex is located a few metres from Lok Bhavan and the chief minister’s secretariat.

Security forces stopped groups of protesters at several locations, including Palace Compound, Moirangkhom and Keisampat junctions.

However, hundreds of demonstrators managed to reach Kangla’s gates.

Police initially attempted to prevent protesters from entering the fort premises but were unable to hold back the large crowd. Several demonstrators entered the complex and continued their protest.

Police later fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse protesters who had assembled near Lok Bhavan. Barricades were also erected near Lok Bhavan after 8 pm.

According to PTI, no injuries or violence were reported during the protests.

Killing Of Three Meitei Men Fuels Fresh Protests

The demonstration followed the October 19 killing of three Meitei men in the Sunurok hills of Kangpokpi district.

Search operations are underway to identify and arrest those involved in the killings, Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said on Friday.

The minister said a joint team comprising CoBRA personnel, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police had raided Sinai camp in Kangpokpi district.

“Operations are going on in connection with the recent killing of three youths in the Sunurok hills. A joint team involving Cobra, CRPF and police raided Sinai camp in Kangpokpi, where 18 people were present. The camp is designated for groups that have signed the SoO agreement," Konthoujam told reporters.

Of the 18 people found at the camp, one was identified as a cadre of a Kuki outfit that had signed the SoO agreement, while the identities of the others were yet to be established.

“The 17 persons have been detained at Sinai camp, and an investigation is underway to ascertain which groups they belong to," the minister said.

He added that three people had been arrested on Monday following the killings and were being interrogated.

What Has Manipur Government Said About SoO Agreement?

The Suspension of Operations agreement with Kuki armed groups was among the issues raised during Friday’s demonstrations.

While protesters demanded its abrogation, Konthoujam said the agreement had expired on September 4 and had not been renewed.

The minister also said search operations would continue at camps associated with Kuki, Meitei and Naga armed groups.

He acknowledged the difficulties faced by security personnel while conducting operations in the hill areas and said measures would be taken to maintain law and order.

“Impartial measures will be taken to maintain law and order. The government is trying to restore normalcy," he said.

Manipur’s Ethnic Conflict Since 2023

Manipur has witnessed ethnic violence since clashes erupted between the valley-based Meitei and hill-based Kuki communities in May 2023.

The conflict has claimed at least 306 lives, while 49 people remain missing and thousands have been displaced.

Clashes between Kuki and Naga communities have also been reported in recent months.

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