Manipur violence escalates: Curfew imposed, Internet suspended after protests over six killings
PTC Web Desk: A curfew has been enforced in Imphal West and Imphal East districts of violence-stricken Manipur, while Internet services have been suspended across seven districts following a surge in protests. These protests erupted in response to the killing of six persons whose bodies were found in Jiribam after being allegedly abducted by militants. The violence, coupled with the protests, has intensified the already volatile situation in the northeastern state.
As part of efforts to control the unrest, Internet services have been cut off in the districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur for two days. Large-scale violence has erupted in parts of the Imphal Valley, with mobs attacking the residences of several Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and causing widespread damage. One such incident involved an attack on the home of Sapam Nishikant Singh, where the gate and the barricades in front of the property were destroyed. The same group of protesters then targeted the house of MLA RK Imo in Sagolband, located in Imphal West district. There, the mob set fire to furniture and shattered windows, leaving the property severely damaged.
The protests in Imphal’s Khwairamband Keithel were sparked by the shocking kidnapping and murder of six persons — three women and three children. The victims’ bodies were discovered near a river in a remote village named Jirimukh in Jiribam district, which is situated along the Manipur-Assam border. According to sources, the bodies were taken to Silchar Medical College Hospital (SMCH) in Assam late Friday night, where they were placed in the hospital's morgue for postmortem examination.
The six persons, who had been staying in a relief camp, went missing after a gunfight between security forces and militants broke out in Jiribam district on Monday. Meitei organisations have alleged that these persons were abducted by the militants during the violence. The militants had launched an attack on a police station in the Borobekra area on November 11, but security forces successfully repelled the attack, killing 11 militants in the process. As the militants retreated, they reportedly abducted the three women and three children from the relief camp near the police station.
The state government has declared a holiday for schools and colleges in an attempt to manage the escalating tensions and prevent further violence. Meanwhile, a massive search operation continues to locate the missing persons, though the situation remains tense.
Manipur has been enduring ethnic violence for over a year and a half, with the ongoing conflict primarily between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. The violence recently spiked following several incidents of unrest, including the discovery of a mutilated farmer’s body in a field in Jiribam earlier this year. Despite Jiribam's ethnically diverse nature, which has kept it largely unaffected by the violence in the Imphal Valley and surrounding hills, tensions in the area have risen following this incident.
In response to the escalating violence, the Centre decided to reimpose the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in six police station areas in Manipur, including Jiribam. This decision was announced on Thursday by the Union Home Ministry, which emphasised that the move was necessary due to the "continuously volatile situation" caused by the ongoing ethnic clashes. The imposition of AFSPA grants security forces enhanced powers to maintain order in regions affected by unrest.
The ongoing ethnic violence has claimed the lives of over 200 people and left thousands displaced. The conflict, which began on May 3 last year, has deepened the divide between the Meitei community, based in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zo groups from the surrounding hills. The violence, which has resulted in the destruction of homes, loss of life, and widespread displacement, has severely impacted the state’s social and political fabric.
The recent flare-up in violence, particularly the kidnapping and killing of the six individuals, has added another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation. The state's authorities, along with security forces, continue to grapple with the unrest while attempting to restore peace in the region. However, the path to reconciliation and stability appears increasingly uncertain as the ethnic tensions show no signs of abating.
- With inputs from agencies
