New Delhi: The Manipur government on Monday (November 18) formed a panel to probe an alleged confrontation between special commandos and protesters in Jiribam which led to the death of a 20-year-old man and injured one other.
Shortly after the probe was announced, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office bearers tendered their resignations en masse over the “helpless” situation in the state.
Manipur has been in the throes of ethnic violence since May 3, 2023. The communal strife has claimed over 200 lives, displaced thousands and led to a near-complete segregation between the Meitei and Kuki communities.
The latest development comes after BJP and Congress offices were attacked by a mob in Jiribam on Sunday night (November 17). The police reportedly opened fire on the mob, killing Khundrakpam Athouba and injuring 26-year-old K. Bishan.
NDA meeting
A day after the National People’s Party (NPP) withdrew support from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), chief minister N. Biren SIngh chaired an NDA meeting in Imphal on Monday.
Speculations were rife that other allies would follow suit and withdraw support to the BJP-led government.
A Naga People’s Front (NPF) legislator told the Hindu that he did not attend the meeting on Monday, indicating that not all MLAs were present. However, NPF leader and water resources minister Awangbou Newmai extended his support to the government.
“There is no question of withdrawing support. The government is doing its best but unfortunately, it could not save lives. We appeal to people to exercise restraint and not take the law into their hands. Such acts will not solve the problem but aggravate it,” he said, condemning the renewed violence in the Jiribam area.
Internet ban extended, government offices shut
The Manipur government also extended the ban on mobile data and internet in seven districts till November 20. The curfew in three districts of Imphal Valley – Imphal East, Imphal West, and Bishnupur – was also extended, the Hindu reported.
Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity, a Meitei group, which launched a civil disobedience movement last week, defied the curfew to shut down government offices including the GST Bhawan and the election department.
The situation in Imphal Valley has reportedly calmed down following two days of unrest over the alleged killing of six people from the Meitei community who are said to have been abducted from a relief camp in Jiribam during an encounter with CRPF personnel on November 11.
The attack came days after a tribal woman from the Hmar community was reportedly burned alive by a Meitei mob on November 8.
The Manipur government has handed over both these cases and the attack on the CRPF camp to the National Investigation Agency.
