Manipur is in turmoil as protests erupt following the grim discovery of six hostage bodies, including that of an infant, near the Assam-Manipur border. With mobs storming political leaders’ residences, escalating attacks, and calls for justice from tribal and Meitei communities, the government struggles to restore peace. Amid curfews, internet blackouts, and demands to review AFSPA, the state teeters on the brink of chaos.
By PC Bureau
The simmering tensions in violence-hit Manipur escalated sharply on Saturday as protests erupted following the discovery of six hostage bodies, including that of an infant, in a river near the Assam-Manipur border. The unrest saw mobs attempting to storm the residences of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, several ministers, and MLAs, leading to confrontations with security forces who resorted to firing tear gas to disperse the crowds.
Chief Minister Singh was not at his residence when the protesters arrived.
The violence, fueled by escalating tensions between the state’s majority Meitei and minority Kuki communities, has plunged Manipur into widespread unrest and a severe security crisis.
In Imphal, agitators vandalized and set fire to the properties of BJP MLA R.K. Imo, the Chief Minister’s son-in-law, and other BJP leaders. The residences of ministers Sapam Ranjan, L. Susindro Singh, and Y. Khemchand were also attacked. Protesters, angered by the perceived inaction of the government, ransacked properties and torched vehicles, demanding swift justice and accountability.
At one protest site, Health Minister Sapam Ranjan assured demonstrators that the killings would be addressed in a cabinet meeting and even offered to resign if public sentiments were not honored. However, tensions escalated further as mobs targeted additional leaders, including JD(U) MLA T. Arun and independent legislator Sapam Nishikanta Singh. Protesters also attacked the office of a local newspaper owned by Singh.
The state imposed indefinite curfews in five districts, including Imphal East and West, and suspended internet services to curb the unrest. The government cited the “developing law and order situation” as justification, aiming to prevent the spread of inflammatory messages.
The discovery of the bodies comes amid heightened tensions following a violent gunfight on Monday that left ten Kuki militants dead. Days earlier, a 31-year-old woman from the Hmar group was burned alive in Jiribam, further fueling anger among tribal communities. The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has demanded military action against militants and a review of the recently reimposed Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in parts of the state.
Adding to the pressure, Mizoram’s student body, Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), has appealed to the central government to ensure the safety of Mizo students in Manipur and requested the relocation of Mizoram’s educational quotas to institutions outside the state until peace is restored. The group also urged the Manipur government to ensure the safety of Meitei residents in Mizoram.
Key Events
- Mob Attacks: Protesters, enraged by the recent killings, targeted the homes of the Chief Minister, three ministers, and several MLAs. Security forces fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowds.
- Curfews Imposed: The government imposed indefinite curfews in five districts and suspended internet services in parts of the state to quell the escalating violence.
- Rising Tensions: The recent killings of six civilians, including an infant, and the earlier murder of a woman have further inflamed tensions between the two communities.
- AFSPA Demand: The Manipur government has requested the Centre to review and potentially withdraw the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, a controversial law granting extensive powers to the military.
- Cross-Border Concerns: Mizoram’s apex student body has expressed concern for the safety of Mizo students in Manipur and urged the Centre to take necessary measures.
