Imphal, June 30 -- Tensions escalated sharply on Tuesday as security personnel fired tear gas shells and smoke bombs to disperse a protest march heading toward the buffer zone at Gamgiphai in Manipur's Kangpokpi district.

The demonstration, organised under the banner of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), demanded the immediate restoration of the movement of essential commodities along National Highway-2, a vital route linking Imphal to Dimapur.

Hundreds of volunteers from the Kuki-Zo community assembled at Taloulong before attempting to move toward Kanglatongbi, where CoTU alleges the transport of essential goods has been consistently obstructed.

Security forces deployed in the area stopped the procession, triggering a brief but ten...