A curfew has been imposed in Imphal West and Imphal East districts of Manipur following fresh protests that erupted in the wake of the gruesome killings of six people, whose bodies were found in Jiribam after allegedly being kidnapped by militants. In response to the escalating violence, internet services have been suspended in seven districts: Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur, for two days.
The situation turned violent as mobs targeted the homes of several MLAs, causing significant property damage. Notably, Sapam Nishikant Singh’s residence was attacked, with the gate and bunkers in front of his house destroyed. The same group also targeted MLA RK Imo’s house in Sagolband, Imphal West, setting furniture on fire and smashing windows.
Protests were particularly intense in Imphal’s Khwairamband Keithel, where demonstrators expressed outrage over the kidnapping and murder of three women and three children. The bodies of these victims were discovered near a river in the remote Jirimukh village of Jiribam district on Friday evening. Sources report that the bodies were brought to Silchar Medical College Hospital in Assam for postmortem.
The six individuals, who had been residing in a relief camp, went missing after a gunfight between security forces and militants in Jiribam on November 11. Meitei organizations allege that the victims were abducted by militants during the conflict. On the same day, militants had attacked a police station in Borobekra, but the assault was repelled by security forces, resulting in the death of 11 militants. During their retreat, the militants reportedly kidnapped the six victims.
Authorities have been conducting a massive search operation to locate the perpetrators. In the wake of the killings, the state government declared a holiday for schools and colleges on Saturday to contain the unrest.
The ongoing ethnic violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities in Manipur has worsened over the past year and a half. Jiribam, which had largely remained unaffected by the conflict, saw its first significant violence since June, when the mutilated body of a farmer was found in a field.
In response to the mounting tensions, the Union Home Ministry reimposed the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in six police station areas of Manipur, including Jiribam. The move was deemed necessary due to the continuous volatile situation fueled by ethnic violence. Since May 2023, over 200 people have been killed, and thousands displaced in the clashes between the Imphal Valley-based Meitei community and the Kuki-Zo groups from the hills.
