Mob attacks lawmakers’ houses amid renewed violence in Manipur

New Delhi, Nov 16: In Manipur’s Imphal city, violent protests took place on Saturday as several areas of Manipur continue to reel under tension and fresh violence. Authorities have imposed a curfew in a few areas and the internet has been snapped.

Media reported that protestors stormed the homes of several state lawmakers, including two ministers and three MLAs.

The unrest follows the recent discovery of three bodies in Jiribam district, suspected to be among six Meitei individuals who went missing amid a surge in violence earlier this month. This deadly incident has exacerbated the simmering ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities, a long-standing issue that has destabilised the region.

A mob targeted the residence of Health and Family Welfare Minister Sapam Ranjan in the Lamphel Sanakeithel area, demanding swift justice for the killings, reports media.

Similarly, crowds gathered outside the home of BJP legislator RK Imo, son-in-law of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, chanting slogans and urging immediate action against the perpetrators.

In response to the attacks on politicians’ homes, the Imphal West administration imposed prohibitory orders and suspended internet services across multiple districts, including Imphal West, East, Bishnupur, and Churachandpur, to curb further unrest.

The violence escalated following the discovery of three decomposed bodies near the confluence of the Jiri and Barak rivers along the Manipur-Assam border.

Initial reports confirmed that two of the victims were children, and one was a woman, believed to be part of a group of six missing Meiteis from Jiribam.

The missing individuals reportedly disappeared on November 11, coinciding with an attack by Kuki militants on a Central Reserve Police Force post in the Jakuradhor area. The confrontation led to a gunfight, resulting in the deaths of ten suspected militants, further inflaming the already volatile situation.

The Home Ministry in a press release said, “The security scenario in Manipur has remained fragile for the past few days. Armed miscreants from both communities in conflict have been indulging in violence leading to unfortunate loss of lives and disruption in public order. All the security forces have been directed to take necessary steps to restore order and peace. Strict action would be initiated against anyone trying to indulge in violent and disruptive activities. Important cases have been handed over to the NIA for effective investigation.”

The press release further requested the public to maintain peace, not believe in rumours and cooperate with the security forces to maintain law and order in the State.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident along the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur’s Kamjong district, an Assam Rifles soldier was critically injured in a shootout with armed militants.

In response to the escalating violence, the central government reimposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) across several districts, including Jiribam. The act, granting extensive powers to the military to conduct operations without prior warrants, had been scaled back earlier but was reinstated following a spate of violent incidents, including attacks on police stations and abductions of civilians. The latest abductions, involving a family of six Meiteis, ended tragically with the discovery of three bodies in a morgue in Assam’s Silchar.

The ongoing violence marks a sharp escalation in the ethnic conflict that has plagued Manipur for months. The deep-seated ethnic divide, rooted in historical grievances and territorial disputes, has led to mass displacements, with thousands seeking refuge in temporary camps or fleeing to neighbouring states.

The path to stability in Manipur remains uncertain, with both the Meitei and Kuki communities hardening their stances amidst ongoing clashes. As security forces ramp up operations, the risk of further escalation looms large, making the coming days crucial for the government’s efforts to initiate dialogue and prevent the conflict from spiralling out of control. The region’s fragile peace hangs in the balance, and any miscalculation could ignite another cycle of violence, threatening to plunge the state deeper into turmoil.