Curfews have been imposed in Imphal West and Imphal East, along with internet shutdowns across seven districts due to escalating violence in Manipur. Protests erupted as six bodies were discovered in Jiribam, believed to have been kidnapped by militants.
Given the ongoing unrest in the northeastern state, internet services have been halted for two days in Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur districts. Major violence has been reported in parts of the Imphal Valley as angry crowds besieged the homes of several legislators, causing destruction to property.A group of people attacked the residence of Nishikant Singh, demolishing bunkers and gates constructed at the entrance. Similarly, the crowd stormed the house of legislator RK Imo in Sagolband, Imphal West district, torching furniture and breaking windows.
Protests unfolded in Imphal's Khwairamband Keithel over the abduction and murder of six people, including three women and three children. According to sources, their bodies were found near a river in a remote village in Jirimukh, Jiribam district, bordering Assam, on Friday evening. The bodies were taken to Silchar Medical College Hospital in Assam for postmortem.
Earlier, three women and three children staying in a relief camp went missing on Monday following a shooting incident between security forces and militants in Jiribam district. People from the Meitei community accused militants of abducting them.
On November 11, a group of militants attacked a police station in the Borobekra area, but the security forces countered the strike, resulting in 11 militants being killed. During their retreat, the militants allegedly abducted three women and three children from a relief camp near the police station.
For over a year and a half, Manipur has witnessed ethnic violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities, with recent incidents intensifying. Though the ethnically diverse Jiribam area had largely remained untouched by these conflicts, tensions have risen recently.
On Thursday, the central government reimposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in six police station areas across Manipur, including Jiribam, citing "persistent volatile conditions" due to ethnic violence. The central home ministry stated that these decisions were made in response to the ongoing instability. Additionally, the state government declared holidays in schools and colleges starting Saturday.
