Imphal: A scuffle broke out between members of the Manipur Pradesh Youth Congress Committee (MPYCC) and police personnel here on Saturday after the Youth Congress members protested against the alleged ‘dictatorial rule of BJP’ and attempted to march to the BJP office in Imphal to burn an effigy of PM Narendra Modi.Decrying the recent arrest of Indian Youth Congress chief Uday Bhanu Chib and other Youth Congress members in connection with the ‘shirtless’ protest at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, the Youth Congress members gathered at the Congress Bhavan and took to the streets, trying to march towards the BJP office. Chib was granted bail on Saturday.
Police personnel intercepted the protesters at the Congress Bhavan gate, where the scuffle broke out.The Youth Congress members eventually brought out the effigy of Modi, which they earlier planned to burn in front of the BJP office, following which the police also tried to snatch it from the protesters. The effigy was seized by police personnel as soon as a part of it caught fire.Speaking to reporters, MPYCC president Wahengbam Anand alleged suppression of democratic rights and values under the Modi govt and said its members will continue to fight for the rights of the people and uphold the democratic values of the nation.He also lambasted BJP in Manipur and its wings for holding demonstrations against the protest by the Youth Congress at the India AI Impact Summit, saying BJP never cared to stage a protest for the innocent civilians killed during the three-year-long clashes in the state.“It seems the BJP people here are more concerned about their party than the sufferings of the people,” he said.The Youth Congress leader said they are not afraid to challenge the “grave injustice” under the Modi-led BJP govt and remain committed to defending democratic principles and ensuring justice.He said the struggle of the Youth Congress was aimed at protecting India’s democratic values and securing justice for the people, asserting that it would continue peaceful protests without fear.
