Manipur has plunged into a fresh wave of unrest following the recovery of bodies linked to an alleged recent shootout over the past two days. Violent protests have broken out in several parts of the state and residences of many ministers and legislators have been attacked.
According to reports, security forces have restricted public vehicular movements, particularly in key areas of Imphal, including high-security zones around the Chief Minister’s Bungalow and Raj Bhawan, to contain the growing tensions.
What led to fresh unrest?
Protests broke out after six decomposed bodies, reportedly linked to a shootout in Jiribam, where 10 Kuki militants were killed, were discovered. On November 11, the relief camp came under attack by armed men. The Manipur police claimed the attackers were Hmar militants. The same evening, six people were missing from the camp.
On Thursday night, the bodies of a woman and two children, believed to be from the same family, were found floating in the river. Two more bodies were found – of another child and Rani Devi – in the river in Lakhipur on Sunday.
After the discovery of the bodies, protesters targeted the houses of ministers and MLAs, ransacking their residences and setting some of them on fire. They also tried to storm the Chief Minister N Biren Singh's house. The security forces responded by firing tear gas to disperse the crowd in various parts of Imphal.
]Following the unrest, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an apex body representing Meitei civil society organisations, demanded military action on militants within 24 hours. They also called for the immediate repeal of AFSPA. “All the MLAs and other leaders must sit together to take decisive action to resolve the present crisis at the earliest,” Khuraijam Athouba, COCOMI spokesperson, told Economic Times.
What is the current situation?
Manipur is under indefinite curfew and internet blackout. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has officially taken charge of three cases related to violence. The Union Home Ministry has warned that strict action would be initiated against anyone trying to indulge in violent and disruptive activities.
Conrad Sangma’s National People’s Party (NPP), the second-largest ally with seven MLAs in the BJP-led NDA state government, withdrew its support to the ruling alliance citing its failure to “restore normalcy” and expressing “deep concern”.
What is the Centre and state government’s response?
Home Minister Amit Shah cancelled his rallies in poll-bound Maharashtra and headed back to Delhi due to the volatile situation in Manipur. He is likely to hold a review meeting with the top home ministry officials to assess the ground situation.
Manipur CM Biren Singh has called a meeting of all BJP and ally MLAs at the CM’s secretariat in Imphal on Monday at 6 pm.
Additional troops are likely to be deployed in Manipur — which is on the boil again — after a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Preparations for sending additional troops are already in progress, according to reports. Manipur government insiders told News18 that the 20 companies sent by the Union government last week will not be sufficient, given the current tense situation in the state.
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