Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday held an urgent review meeting with senior officials to address the escalating violence in Manipur. Shah directed authorities to take immediate steps to restore peace in the northeastern state. Sources indicated that the Home Minister is expected to convene another detailed meeting on Monday to discuss further measures.
The meeting followed Shah’s return to Delhi after he canceled his election rallies in Maharashtra due to the tense situation in Manipur. His decision to return underscored the gravity of the unrest that has gripped the state.
Fresh Violence Triggers Protests
The latest wave of violence in Manipur was triggered by the discovery of the bodies of two women and a child who had been missing since Monday from a displaced persons’ camp. The bodies were found in the Barak River in Jiribam on Saturday. Additionally, three more bodies, including a woman and two children, were discovered the previous night. These grim discoveries sparked widespread protests, with demonstrators attacking the homes of three state ministers and six MLAs on Saturday.
Among the officials targeted were state ministers Sapam Ranjan, L Susindro Singh, and Y Khemchand. In response, the Manipur government imposed an indefinite curfew in several areas and suspended internet services to curb the violence. However, protesters continued their rampage, setting fire to the residences of three BJP legislators, including a senior minister, as well as a Congress MLA.
Chief Minister’s Residence Targeted
The situation escalated further when protestors attempted to storm the ancestral home of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. Security forces intervened to prevent the mob from breaching the property, although tensions remain high.
Previous Violent Clashes
The violence comes in the wake of ongoing tensions in the region. On November 11, Manipur Police reported killing 10 suspected militants in a gunfight with security forces. The clash began when insurgents, disguised in camouflage and armed with advanced weaponry, launched an attack on the Borobekra Police Station and a nearby CRPF camp in Jiribam. Shortly after the attack, six civilians, including women and children, were allegedly abducted by suspected militants, according to police sources.
The situation remains volatile, with the government closely monitoring developments and taking steps to ensure law and order is restored in the region.
