In response to the recent protests following the killing of six individuals in Jiribam, a curfew has been enforced in Imphal East and Imphal West in Manipur, with internet services also being halted in seven districts.
Due to the present situation in the northeastern state, internet services were halted in Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur districts for a duration of two days. Mobs attacked the homes of multiple MLAs and caused extensive damage in certain areas of the Imphal Valley districts.
A gang of individuals vandalized the residence of Sapam Nishikant Singh, causing damage to both the gate and the bunkers located in front of it. The MLA RK Imo’s residence in Sagolband, Imphal West district, was attacked by the same group, causing damage to furniture and windows.
Demonstrations took place at Imphal’s Khwairamband Keithel in response to the abduction and killing of six individuals – three women and three children. Sources reported on Saturday that the bodies of them were discovered close to a river in the isolated village of Jirimukh in Jiribam district, near the Manipur-Assam border on Friday evening.
Ethnic tensions in Manipur, where the Kuki and Meitei communities have been engaged in violence for over a year and a half, escalated significantly due to numerous recent violent incidents. Jiribam, a place with a mix of different ethnicities, saw a rare instance of violence in June, following the discovery of a farmer’s mutilated body in a field. This area had previously been unaffected by the conflicts in Imphal Valley and the surrounding hills.
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The Centre reinstated the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in six police station areas of Manipur, including Jiribam, on Thursday.
The Union Home Ministry stated that the decision was made because of the ongoing ethnic violence causing a “continuous volatile situation.”
Since May 3 last year, over 200 individuals have lost their lives and numerous have been displaced due to ethnic conflicts between Meiteis from Imphal Valley and Kuki-Zo groups from the surrounding hills in the northeastern state.
