Violence in Manipur: Internet suspended in 7 districts of Manipur, curfew in Imphal after 6 found dead in Jiribam

A curfew was imposed in Imphal West and Imphal East in violence-hit Manipur and internet services were suspended in seven districts as fresh protests broke out in the Valley districts against the killing of six people, whose bodies were found in Jiribam after they were allegedly kidnapped by militants.

Internet service was suspended for two days in Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts due to the current situation in the northeastern state. Large-scale violence was reported in parts of Imphal Valley districts as mobs stormed the residences of several MLAs and destroyed properties.

A group of people attacked Sapam Nishikant Singh’s house and destroyed the gate and bunkers built in front of the gate. The same mob stormed the house of MLA RK Imo at Sagolband in Imphal West District and burned furniture and shattered windows.

Imphal’s Khwairamband Keithel saw protests against the kidnapping and killing of six people: three women and three children. Their bodies were found on Friday evening near a river in remote Jirimukh village in Jiribam district along the Manipur-Assam border, sources said on Saturday.

The bodies were taken to Assam’s Silchar Medical College Hospital (SMCH) on Friday evening and kept at the hospital mortuary for post-mortem.

The three women and three children living in a relief camp went missing on Monday following a gun battle between security forces and militants in Jiribam district, with Meitei organizations claiming they had been kidnapped by militants.

On November 11 a group of militants attacked a police station in the Borobekra area, but the attack was foiled by security forces, resulting in the deaths of eleven militants. While retreating, the militants reportedly abducted three women and three children from a relief camp near the police station.

A massive search operation was conducted to track them down.

The state government had already declared a public holiday for schools and colleges on Saturday.

Tensions in Manipur, where there has been ethnic violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities for more than a year and a half, recently supplemented with several incidents of violence. Ethnically diverse Jiribam, which had been largely unaffected by the clashes in the Imphal Valley and adjoining hills, faced violence after the war. In June, the mutilated body of a farmer was found in a field.

On Thursday the Center reintroduced the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). in Manipur’s six police station areas, including Jiribam. The Union Home Ministry claimed that the decision was taken in view of the “ongoing volatile situation” due to the ongoing ethnic violence.

More than 200 people have been killed and thousands have been left homeless in ethnic clashes between Meiteis in the Imphal Valley and neighboring Kuki-Zo groups in the northeastern state since May 3 last year.

(With inputs from PTI.)