NEW DELHI: The Manipur government has imposed an indefinite curfew in violence-hit Imphal West and Imphal East districts due to deteriorating law and order situation. Internet services have also been suspended after fresh protests erupted against the killing of six people, whose bodies were found in Jiribam after they were kidnapped allegedly by militants.
Earlier, the authorities had relaxed the curfew from 5 am to 8pm on November 16, as per an order dated November 15. However, this relaxation order now stands cancelled with immediate effect after a number of violent attacks at the house of MLAs belonging to Meitei community in Imphal were reported.
An order issued by Imphal West District Magistrate Th Kirankumar reads: “Now, due to the developing law and order situation in the district, the above mentioned curfew relaxation order stands cancelled with immediate effect. Total curfew is imposed w.e.f. from 4.30 pm of November16 until further orders.”
“All persons involved in essential services such as health, electricity, CAF & PD, PHED, petrol pumps, municipality, press and electronic media, functioning of courts, and to-and-fro movement of flight passengers to the airport, as well as contractors/workers with valid Airport Entry Permit (AEP) cards, shall be exempted from the curfew,” the order further stated.
Violence erupts in Manipur’s Imphal
Demonstrators in Manipur’s Imphal attacked the homes of two ministers and three MLAs, seeking justice for three individuals murdered in Jiribam district, according to police reports. The attacks led the Imphal West administration to enforce indefinite prohibitory orders in the district.
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.
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.
‘Necessary steps to be taken to restore order and peace in Manipur’
Amid the violence in Manipur, the ministry of home affairs said that security forces have been directed to take necessary steps to restore order and peace in Manipur.
Calling the situation “fragile,” the MHA said that the strict action would be initiated against anyone trying to indulge in violent and disruptive activities. Important cases have been handed over to NIA for effective investigation.
“Public are requested to maintain peace, not believe in rumours and cooperate with the security forces to maintain law and order in the State,” the statement reads.
In an effort to stabilise the situation, the MHA on Thursday had extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in six police station jurisdictions across five districts of Manipur until 31 March 2025.
‘3 bodies found on Friday night’
On Friday night, three bodies, believed to be from six missing individuals from Jiribam district, were discovered near the meeting point of Jiri and Barak rivers along the Manipur-Assam border.
The recovered bodies, comprising a woman and two children, were located approximately 16 km from Borobekra in Jiribam district, near where the six people disappeared on Monday.
“Three bodies of a woman and two children suspected to be of six persons missing from Jiribam district were found near the confluence of Jiri river and Barak river along Manipur-Assam border on Friday night,” an official said.
The deceased were subsequently transported to the morgue at Silchar Medical College Hospital (SMCH) in Assam, awaiting post-mortem examinations.
The discovery comes after three women and three children, who had been staying at a relief camp, went missing following an armed confrontation between security personnel and militants in Jiribam district on Monday.
(with inputs from agencies)