New Delhi: Manipur is once again engulfed in unrest as violent protests erupted over the past two days, with mobs targeting the homes of several ministers and MLAs. The Imphal valley is simmering with tension as civil society groups have issued an ultimatum to both the central and state governments, demanding “decisive action” against armed groups or face the wrath of the public.
The latest wave of violence was ignited by the grim discovery of six decomposed bodies, believed to be those of hostages taken following a shootout in Jiribam that resulted in the deaths of ten Kuki militants. The situation further worsened after the headless body of a 2-year-old Meitei boy and his grandmother who were held hostage, was found in a river. In response, large crowds gathered last night, attacking the residences and properties of lawmakers, expressing their frustration over months of ongoing violence.
Khuraijam Athouba, spokesperson for the Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), stated, “All the MLAs and other leaders must sit together to take decisive action to resolve the present crisis at the earliest.” He called for an urgent military crackdown on terrorists and armed groups, warning that failure to act would lead to severe public discontent directed at the government.
“If they do not take any decisive action that satisfies the people, the government will bear the brunt of the people’s discontent and anger,” he added.
In light of the escalating situation in the Northeastern state, the state cabinet has urged the central government to reconsider the re-imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in six police station areas. Opposition leader Okram Ibobi Singh emphasised that if resignations from MLAs could help resolve the crisis, they would be willing to take that step. “We have already mentioned that if necessary, that if we MLAs resign it can solve the crisis, then we are ready for it,” Singh said.
He criticised both the state and central governments for their handling of the situation, stating, “There is a complete breakdown of the constitutional machinery.”
Meanwhile, in areas dominated by the Kuk-Zo community, tribal organisations are demanding comprehensive AFSPA coverage for the valley districts while calling for its withdrawal from hill areas. The Committee on Tribal Unity in Sadar Hills has issued a strong statement urging the Union Home Ministry to extend AFSPA to all 13 remaining police stations in Manipur’s valley districts.
Human rights activist Sylvia from Kangpokpi voiced her community’s frustration, declaring, “Enough is enough. Our cries for justice cannot be silenced anymore. We march today not only for our fallen brothers and sisters but for the dignity of our people and the rule of law”.
The unrest has intensified further with the National People’s Party (NPP) withdrawing support from the BJP-led government, citing its failure to restore normalcy. Amid these incidents of violence, offices of Congress and BJP were vandalised in Jiribam, while security forces thwarted attempts to storm Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s ancestral home but they failed to save another BJP MLA’s house in Imphal Valley. Attackers also attacked the building owned by Ashab Uddin, the Independent legislator of Jiribam.
The NPP’s withdrawal of support, however, would not have any impact on the BJP government, as the saffron party enjoys absolute majority with its 32 MLAs. The saffron camp has also the support of five MLAs of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) and 6 JD(U) legislators.
In the last few days, the situation in Manipur further deteriorated and many more innocent lives have been lost and people in the state are “going through immense suffering”, the NPP claimed in a letter to BJP president J P Nadda.
As the tension in the region escalates, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to hold a detailed meeting with officials today at 12 pm to review the security situation in Manipur amid fresh cases of violence.
