Manipur is witnessing a fresh wave of violence, prompting authorities to impose a curfew in Imphal West and Imphal East districts, alongside a two-day suspension of internet services across seven districts. The unrest follows the discovery of six bodies—three women and three children—believed to have been abducted and killed by militants in Jiribam.
The victims, who had been residing in a relief camp, went missing after a gunfight between security forces and militants earlier in the week. Their bodies were discovered near a river in the remote village of Jirimukh, along the Manipur-Assam border. The bodies were later sent to Silchar Medical College Hospital in Assam for postmortem.
In response to the killings, protests erupted throughout the Imphal Valley. Mobs targeted the homes of local legislators, including an attack on Sapam Nishikant Singh’s residence, where the gate and security bunkers were destroyed. Another group stormed the home of MLA RK Imo in Imphal West’s Sagolband area, setting furniture ablaze and smashing windows. Demonstrations also took place at Khwairamband Keithel, a key market area in Imphal, where people condemned the brutal killings.
The violence escalated further after militants launched an attack on a police station in Borobekra, Jiribam, on November 11. Security forces successfully repelled the attack, killing 11 militants. However, in their retreat, the militants allegedly abducted the six women and children, whose bodies were discovered later during a search operation.
Jiribam, which had largely remained unaffected by the ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities that has ravaged the state for over 18 months, has seen escalating unrest. Earlier this year, the discovery of a farmer’s mutilated body in June triggered violent clashes in the area. In response to the rising violence, the central government reimposed the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in six police station areas, including Jiribam, citing the “volatile situation.”
The state has been grappling with intense ethnic conflict between the Meitei communities of the Imphal Valley and Kuki-Zo groups from the surrounding hills since May 3, 2023. The violence has claimed over 200 lives and displaced thousands. To curb the escalating tensions, schools and colleges were closed on Saturday, as the state government seeks to prevent further bloodshed.
The situation in Manipur remains tense, with ongoing efforts to restore peace in the face of mounting unrest.
