Manipur has been rocked by protests after the bodies of three out of six missing individuals were recovered from a river, sparking fresh violence and unrest. In response, authorities imposed a curfew in Imphal West and Imphal East, while internet services were suspended in seven districts following the protests.
The victims—three women and three children—were allegedly abducted by militants. On Friday night, three bodies—suspected to belong to the missing individuals—were found near the confluence of the Jiri and Barak rivers along the Manipur-Assam border. Among the bodies were those of a woman and two children, found near the site where the group went missing after a gunfight between militants and security forces in Jiribam district earlier this week.
The suspension of internet services, effective for two days, covers Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur districts. The decision follows violent protests, particularly in Imphal’s Khwairamband Keithel, where demonstrators decried the killings. Mobs also targeted the homes of several state ministers and MLAs in the Imphal Valley, calling for justice.
According to police reports, demonstrators attacked the residences of two ministers and three MLAs in Imphal, demanding accountability for the murders in Jiribam.
According to a senior official, a mob stormed the residence of Health and Family Welfare Minister Sapam Ranjan in Lamphel Sanakeithel area.
Lamphel Sanakeithel development authority’s representative David told reporters, “Sapam assured us that the issues related to the killing of three persons will be discussed at a cabinet meeting and that the minister will tender his resignation if the government fails to honour the sentiment of the public.”
The residence of consumer affairs and public distribution minister L Susindro Singh was also targeted by protesters, according to officials.
In Sagolband area of Imphal West district, demonstrators assembled outside BJP legislator RK Imo’s residence, who is Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s son-in-law. They demanded swift governmental action regarding the three deaths and called for the arrest of perpetrators within 24 hours.
In a separate incident, when protesters visited independent legislator Sapam Nishikanta Singh’s residence at Tiddim Road to meet him, they targeted his newspaper office upon learning of his absence from the state, as reported by a senior officer.
The protesters damaged temporary structures outside the office building, according to reports.
According to sources, the victims’ bodies were recovered on Friday evening and transported to the Silchar Medical College Hospital in Assam, where postmortem examinations are underway. The deceased had been staying in a relief camp and went missing after a gunfight between militants and security forces in Jiribam district on Monday.
MHA directs security forces to take necessary steps to restore order and peace
The ministry of home affairs (MHA) in a statement released on Saturday said that security forces have been directed to take necessary steps to restore order and peace in Manipur. The MHA described the security situation as “fragile,” citing armed miscreants from both the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities engaging in violent activities, resulting in the loss of lives and disruption of public order.
The ministry warned that strict action would be taken against anyone indulging in violence or other disruptive acts. To ensure effective investigation, important cases have been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The public has been urged to maintain peace, avoid believing in rumours, and cooperate with security forces to uphold law and order in the state, the statement said.
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