Fresh violence has erupted in Manipur following the grim discovery of three bodies from a group of six abducted individuals in Imphal. This unsettling situation worsened with the recovery of two additional bodies—a 61-year-old woman and a two-year-old boy—found in a river in Assam’s Lakhipur. Authorities believe these five bodies, which include that of an eight-month-old infant, are connected to a Meitei family that was reportedly abducted by armed militants during a violent clash on November 11 with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Manipur Police in the Jiribam area. A 25-year-old woman, who is the mother of the two children, remains missing.
In a separate but equally disturbing incident, the body of a 27-year-old man from the Kuki-Zo community was discovered in Jiribam, with his hands tied and a gunshot wound to his head. Since the onset of violence on November 7, at least 20 fatalities have been reported in the ongoing turmoil, underscoring the escalating nature of the conflict.
In response to the security crisis in Manipur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has canceled his election engagements and convened meetings with senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to assess the situation. Enhancing security measures, the Army and Assam Rifles have been deployed to Imphal, where a curfew is in effect alongside an Internet shutdown. Lieutenant General Abhijit S Pendharkar, General Officer Commanding of the 3 Corps, along with CRPF Director General Anish Dayal, has arrived in Imphal for security assessments. Lt Gen Pendharkar is scheduled to travel to Jiribam, which has become a focal point for violence, on November 19.
The unrest has sparked outrage and demands for political accountability, with the Congress unit in Manipur urging Chief Minister N Biren Singh to facilitate a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to collaboratively address the escalating crisis. Former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has openly criticized the effectiveness of the Assembly’s leaders, questioning their ability to guarantee safety in the state.
Amid the violence, protesters have attacked homes and properties belonging to at least 13 political figures across party lines in the valley districts. Law enforcement intervened to prevent a mob from vandalizing a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office in Imphal on a recent Sunday, leading to police deploying tear gas to disperse crowds. Authorities report that eight individuals sustained injuries from these encounters, while 23 people have been arrested for involvement in arson and property damage in the affected regions, including Imphal East, Imphal West, and Bishnupur. Police operations have led to the seizure of a pistol, ammunition, and mobile phones.
To facilitate rapid military actions against the rising violence, the MHA has reinstated the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in May for Jiribam and neighboring areas. The ongoing ethnic clashes between the tribal Kuki-Zo-Hmar and the Meitei communities have resulted in over 250 casualties since the beginning of this year, highlighting the urgent need for intervention and resolution in the region.
