Imphal:
A wave of protests has engulfed Manipur after a 22-year-old Meitei youth, Khundrakpam Athouba Ningthouja, was killed in alleged police firing during a demonstration in Jiribam on Monday. The incident sparked widespread outrage, with the Meitei community, particularly the youth, targeting Senior Superintendent of Police (Combat) Colonel (Retd.) Nectar Sanjenbam.
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) Student’s Front, a prominent Meitei youth organization, has accused Sanjenbam of directly firing upon the unarmed protesters, leading to Athouba’s death and injuries to others. The group has demanded his immediate dismissal and prosecution.
Local media reports in Imphal quoted Ningthoujam Dhanakumar Meitei, a leader of the COCOMI Student’s Front, as strongly condemning the SSP’s actions, characterizing the shooting as a “brutal and unforgivable act.” Dhanakumar further criticized Sanjenbam’s controversial appointment, asserting that his tenure has not served the interests of the Meitei community.
The fatal shooting occurred during a protest against the recent abduction and killing of six women and children in the Borobekra Sub-Division. Eyewitness accounts suggest that tensions escalated when Sanjenbam confronted the protesters and allegedly opened fire. The police, however, have presented a different narrative, claiming that the mob was involved in attacking and vandalizing the homes of leaders and political party offices during the protest.
The incident triggered widespread protests across Jiribam and Imphal. Demonstrators surrounded the Public Works Department (PWD) guesthouse in Babupara, where Sanjenbam and his team reportedly sought refuge. The unrest has also spread to Manipur University, where students have staged massive protests, burning effigies of Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya and Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
In response to the public outcry, the Manipur government has established a two-member committee to investigate the shooting. However, the Meitei youth remain resolute in their demand for justice and accountability.
