Manipur Violence, Manipur Protesters
New Delhi: Hours after the remains of all six missing individuals were retrieved from a river in Manipur, demonstrators targeted the homes of three state ministers and six MLAs on Saturday. In reaction to the unrest, the government enacted indefinite prohibitory measures across five districts and suspended internet services in certain areas of the state. Protesters vandalized the residences of three out of six legislators, including the home of the chief minister N Biren Singh’s son-in-law, and set several properties ablaze. In response, security forces deployed tear gas to disperse the crowds in various locations throughout Imphal, according to police reports.
The following are the details regarding the recent violence:
- The bodies of two women and a child, who had been missing since Monday from a displaced persons’ camp, were discovered in the Barak River in Jiribam on Saturday. Additionally, three other bodies, including a woman and two children, were located on Friday night. In total, six bodies, comprising three children, were recovered from Jiribam district in Manipur and transported to Silchar Medical College Hospital (SMCH) in Assam for post-mortem examinations.
- Protesters invaded the homes of ministers Sapam Ranjan, L Susindro Singh, and Y Khemchand, as reported by an official. Consequently, a curfew was imposed indefinitely in Imphal East and West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, and Kakching districts of the Imphal valley “due to the evolving law and order situation,” the official stated.
- Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi ordered the temporary suspension of internet and mobile data services in the affected districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur for two days, commencing at 5:15 PM on Saturday.
- The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a leading organization representing civil society groups in the Imphal valley, called for military action against militants within a 24-hour timeframe.
- A mob also made an attempt to breach the personal residence of Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday evening, resulting in a significant escalation between security forces and the demonstrators.
- During the night, individuals engaged in criminal activities set ablaze a minimum of two churches and three residences in Jiribam town, according to officials. There have also been allegations of additional arson incidents and the destruction of more properties, although these assertions have not yet been independently confirmed, officials informed PTI.
- Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, described the recent violent confrontations and ongoing violence in Manipur as “deeply disturbing” on Saturday. He called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to travel to the state and implement measures to restore tranquility in the area.
- The Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), the leading student organization in Mizoram, has appealed to the central government to guarantee the safety and security of Mizo students in the violence-affected region of Manipur. The MZP voiced its apprehension regarding the escalating tensions in Manipur, particularly in light of the recent killings of ten tribal individuals.
- The government of Manipur has urged the central authorities to reconsider and repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), a contentious legislation that confers extensive powers upon the armed forces. This law has been reinstated within the jurisdiction of six police stations in the state.
- Since May of the previous year, at least 250 individuals have lost their lives, and 60,000 have been displaced in Manipur due to inter-communal violence stemming from disputes over government grants and employment and educational quotas.
