Manipur remains on high alert after violent protests erupted following the discovery of six bodies, including women and children, allegedly abducted and killed by militants in Jiribam district.
Authorities imposed an indefinite curfew across multiple districts of Imphal Valley and suspended internet services in seven districts to curb the unrest.
The discovery has prompted widespread anger, leading to the deployment of army and Assam Rifles personnel to restore order.
The protests, which began Saturday (November 16), saw demonstrators ransack the homes of three state ministers, six legislators, and other political figures, including BJP MLA R.K. Imo, the son-in-law of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
Security forces used tear gas to disperse crowds as tensions escalated.
The violence was triggered by the disappearance of six individuals, three women and three children, from a relief camp in Jiribam after a gunfight between militants and security forces. The bodies were discovered in two separate locations.
Three, including those of a woman and two children, were found near the confluence of the Jiri and Barak rivers. The remaining three bodies were recovered on Saturday.
The grim discovery sparked outrage across the state, with protesters demanding accountability and targeting the homes of local politicians. Roads in Imphal were littered with debris on Sunday, reflecting the extent of the unrest.
In response to the escalating violence, authorities imposed a curfew in Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, and Kakching districts. Internet services were also suspended in seven districts, including Imphal East and West, to prevent the spread of inflammatory content and maintain law and order.
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) issued an ultimatum, demanding military action against those responsible for the deaths within 24 hours. The group also renewed calls for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), reimposed in several districts earlier this month.
Separately, tensions remain high within the Kuki-Zo community following the deaths of 10 youths in an alleged gunfight with the CRPF in Jiribam district.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), a leading organisation representing the community, announced it would delay the funeral of the victims until post-mortem reports are provided.
“We cannot touch the bodies without the post-mortem documents. Tampering with them could lead to legal issues,” ITLF spokesperson Ginza Vualzong said Sunday.
An emergency meeting of the ITLF has been convened to decide the community’s next steps regarding the funeral. The delay adds to the growing tension in a state already grappling with unrest and violence.
With inputs from agencies
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Manipur violence: Internet shutdown, ultimatum to withdraw AFSPA, delayed funerals and more
