Violence in Manipur. (PTI)
In view of the current situation in Manipur, curfew has been imposed in Imphal West and Imphal East. Also, Internet was cut for two days in seven districts – Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi and Churachandpur. We tell you that new protests have begun in the valley districts against the murder of six people, whose bodies were recovered after being allegedly kidnapped in Jiribam.
Large-scale violence was reported in some parts of Imphal Valley districts. Police said protesters attacked Chief Minister N. The houses of three of the six MLAs, including Biren Singh’s son-in-law, were vandalized and their properties set on fire, while security forces used tear gas to disperse protesters in different parts of Imphal.
Protesters raid ministers’ residence
An official said that among the state ministers whose residences were raided by the protesters were Sapam Ranjan, L Susindro Singh and Y Khemchand. He said due to deteriorating law and order situation, an indefinite curfew has been imposed in Imphal East and West, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Kakching districts of Imphal Valley.
Demonstration after the death of six people
In fact, protests were seen in Imphal’s Khwairamband Keithel over the kidnapping and murder of six people – three women and three children. Sources said on Saturday that their bodies were found near a river in remote Jirimukh village in Jiribam district on the Manipur-Assam border on Friday night. The bodies were brought to Silchar Medical College Hospital (SMCH) in Assam on Friday night and kept in the hospital’s mortuary for autopsy.
Last Monday, three women and three children living in a relief camp went missing after an exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists in Jiribam district. The Meitei organizations alleged that they had been kidnapped by terrorists.
Attack on a police station in the Borobekra area
On November 11, a group of militants attacked a police station in the Borobekra area, but security forces foiled the attack. In this, 11 terrorists died. While retreating, the militants allegedly abducted three women and three children from a relief camp near the police station.
Ethnic violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities
The state government had already declared Saturday a holiday in schools and universities. Manipur has been witnessing caste violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities for over a year and a half. Recently, tension has increased with several incidents of violence. Ethnically diverse Jiribam, which had been largely unaffected by fighting in the Imphal Valley and surrounding hills, fell victim to violence in June after the mutilated body of a farmer was found in a field.
AFSPA implemented in six police station areas of Manipur
On Thursday, the Center reimposed the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in six police station areas of Manipur, including Jiribam. The Union Home Ministry highlighted that the decision was taken in view of the continued volatile situation due to ongoing ethnic violence. Responding to this issue, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in his former position urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the conflict-torn area and work in this direction.
use of tear gas
Lamphel Sanakethel Development Authority representative David said that Sapam assured us that the issues related to the killing of people will be discussed in the cabinet meeting and if the government does not respect the public sentiments, the minister will tender his resignation. .
Police said the protesters also broke into the residence of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Minister L Susindro Singh in Khurai area of Imphal East district. Later that night, the mob also attempted to attack his residence, after which security forces had to use tear gas to disperse the protesters.
Attack on Chief Minister’s son-in-law’s residence
Police said the protesters also attacked the residence of Municipal Administration Housing Development Minister Y Khemchand in Singjamei area of Imphal West district. In Sagolband area of Imphal West district, protesters gathered outside the residence of BJP MLA RK Imo and raised slogans. IMO Chief Minister N. is also Biren Singh’s son-in-law. He demanded the government to take appropriate action and urged authorities to arrest the culprits within 24 hours.
BJP MLA’s house vandalized
A senior police officer said the mob vandalized the house of the BJP MLA and set his property on fire. Another official said the protesters also raided BJP MLA Sapam Kunjakesor’s residence at Tera in Imphal West and vandalized his properties. A car parked in front of the MLA’s residence was also set on fire.
meeting with security forces
Police said the residence of another BJP MLA Joykishan Singh in Thangmeiband of the district was also vandalized. The protesters also attacked the residences of Janata Dal United (JDU) MLA from Wangkhei T Arun constituency and BJP MLA from Langthabal Karam Shyam. Meanwhile, police said suspected militants had a brief encounter with security forces in Irengbam Manning area of Bishnupur district. He said there were no casualties in the incident.
Appeal to Center to remove AFSPA
The Manipur government has asked the Center to review and remove the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the areas falling under six police stations in the state. The Center has reimposed AFSPA in six police station areas of Manipur, including violence-affected Jiribam.
A letter written by the Joint Secretary (Home) to the Central Government mentioned that the State Government had discussed this (re-introduction of AFSPA) in its meeting on November 15 and the Central Government should review it and inform the six State Governments. It was decided to recommend declaring the areas falling within the police station area as disturbed areas under Section 3 of AFSPA 1958.
According to the brief, therefore, it is requested that in the public interest the notification issued on November 14 be reviewed and withdrawn. On November 14, the Home Ministry had reimposed AFSPA in areas under Sekmai and Lamsang in Imphal West district, Lamlai in Imphal East, Moirang in Bishnupur, Limakhong in Kangpokpi and Jiribam in Jiribam district.
