By PC Bureau
In a dramatic escalation of violence, six people—including three Meitei women and three children—are missing in Manipur’s Jiribam district, believed to have been abducted by armed Kuki militants. Meanwhile, two elderly men from the Meitei community were found dead, underscoring the region’s increasingly volatile situation. These tragic incidents come in the wake of a deadly encounter that left ten Kuki militants dead after a fierce firefight with security forces on Monday.
The missing individuals, reportedly all from the same family, are feared to be in militant captivity, a suspicion fueled by images circulating on social media. Though police have yet to verify the authenticity of these photos, authorities are responding by deploying additional forces from the Assam Rifles, CRPF, and local police to secure the area and aid in the search efforts.
Following these alarming abductions, a coalition of 13 civil society organizations has called for a 24-hour shutdown across the Imphal Valley, spanning five districts. Schools, businesses, and transportation services are at a standstill as residents brace for further unrest. Security forces continue extensive search operations, heightening local tension amid fears of more violence.
On Monday, militants launched a bold assault on Jiribam’s police station and a nearby CRPF camp, wielding rocket-propelled grenades, AK-series rifles, and other heavy weaponry. The attack led to a prolonged and intense clash with security forces, resulting in the deaths of ten Kuki militants and injuries to a CRPF soldier. “Retaliation is necessary when faced with heavy weaponry,” stated IGP Operations IK Muivah, emphasizing efforts by officials to limit civilian casualties despite the heavy firefight.
In Delhi, MPs Demand Answers on Manipur Crisis
In Delhi, opposition MPs are demanding accountability from the Ministry of Home Affairs over its perceived silence on Manipur’s crisis. During a session of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, chaired by BJP MP Radha Mohan Aggarwal, the Ministry presented a comprehensive report on its “major achievements” in security-sensitive regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, the Northeast, and Left-Wing Extremism areas. However, MPs quickly noted a glaring omission: there was no mention of the ongoing violence and ethnic tensions in Manipur, despite its current escalation.
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Home Secretary Govind Mohan highlighted significant progress in reducing insurgency across the Northeast and celebrated eight peace accords with various insurgent groups. Yet, many MPs found these points lacking without any reference to Manipur’s crisis. Trinamool Congress MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar specifically raised concerns over the absence of measures addressing violence against women in Manipur, noting that while the report included broad national initiatives for women’s safety, it omitted any mention of the specific issues affecting Manipur.
The Ministry’s report also drew criticism from MPs who described it as a “rosy” presentation, lacking crucial details on areas needing urgent improvement. Muslim League MP Haris Beeran questioned delays in conducting the decennial Census and raised issues about delayed disaster relief funding, using recent events in Wayanad as an example. Some MPs also called for a more in-depth focus on Centre-State relations and requested a more transparent evaluation of “areas of improvement” within the Ministry’s report.
The Home Ministry’s vision, described as “Vision @ 2047,” outlines ambitious goals such as a “terror-free Jammu and Kashmir,” a “militancy-free Northeast,” and the eradication of left-wing extremism. But as calls for a more transparent discussion grow, the lack of attention to Manipur leaves many questioning whether these goals can be fully realized without confronting the pressing realities on the ground.
With Jiribam engulfed in uncertainty and national leaders pressing for answers, the situation in Manipur remains deeply concerning. The coming days will be critical in determining whether the government will take meaningful action to address the escalating crisis.
