Manipur’s fragile peace has been shattered once again as a protester was killed during a clash in Jiribam, fueling widespread unrest. With curfews, internet shutdowns, and arson targeting political figures, the ethnic conflict between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo communities continues to deepen, leaving over 220 dead and thousands displaced.
By PC Bureau
Manipur’s descent into chaos and anarchy continued unabated, with violence and arson gripping the state. A protester, identified as K. Athouba, was killed during a clash with security forces in Jiribam district on Sunday night. Athouba, in his twenties, was participating in protests against the recent killings and abductions of civilians.
The incident, shrouded in uncertainty over who opened fire, sparked widespread outrage and escalated tensions further. While police stated it was unclear who fired the shots, eyewitnesses alleged that the firing came from the direction of the security forces.
The killing ignited a fresh wave of violence and vandalism. Protesters targeted the offices of the Congress and BJP and the residence of a local MLA in Jiribam. These properties were ransacked, and furniture and documents were set ablaze, reflecting the deep anger and frustration simmering among the populace.
In the Imphal Valley, tension remains high. An indefinite curfew is in effect, and internet services are suspended. Protesters have attacked multiple properties, including the ancestral home of a BJP MLA and the residence of Independent MLA Ashab Uddin in Jiribam. These incidents follow Saturday’s arson attacks on the homes of three BJP legislators, including a senior minister, and a Congress MLA. Properties belonging to three state ministers and six other MLAs were also vandalized earlier.
Security forces have intensified patrolling and increased deployments around politicians’ residences and key government buildings, including the state secretariat, BJP headquarters, and Raj Bhavan, in a bid to restore order.
The unrest has also taken a toll on Manipur’s political landscape. The National People’s Party (NPP) withdrew its support from the BJP-led government, citing Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s failure to restore peace. Despite this, the BJP government remains stable due to its majority in the state assembly.
The violence is rooted in the ongoing ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. Previously spared, Jiribam has now been drawn into the turmoil following the discovery of mutilated bodies and the abduction of civilians. The recent unrest was triggered by the killings of women and children and the disappearance of civilians, with several bodies found in nearby rivers in recent days.
Since May 2023, more than 220 people have been killed, and thousands rendered homeless in the ethnic clashes between the Imphal Valley-based Meitei and hill-based Kuki-Zo groups. The discovery of a mutilated farmer’s body in June marked the onset of violence in Jiribam, a region historically untouched by the unrest.
The state government continues to impose curfews and internet shutdowns in an attempt to quell the violence. However, the unrest shows no signs of abating, raising serious concerns about the long-term peace and stability of the region. As Manipur struggles to contain the escalating crisis, the path to reconciliation remains uncertain.
