As Fresh Violence Erupts In Manipur, Amit Shah Set To Hold Home Ministry Meeting; Indian Army And Assam Rifles Deployed

Fresh violence erupted in Manipur following the discovery of three bodies from a group of six abducted individuals in Imphal. Subsequently, two more bodies, a 61-year-old woman and a two-year-old boy, were found in a river in Assam’s Lakhipur on Sunday (17 November).

Police believe the five recovered bodies, including an eight-month-old infant, belong to a missing Meitei family abducted by armed militants during an 11 November clash with CRPF and Manipur Police in Jiribam. A 25-year-old woman, the mother to the two children, remains unaccounted for.

In another incident, the body of a 27-year-old man from the Kuki-Zo community was found in Jiribam, his hands tied and a gunshot wound to the head. Since 7 November, at least 20 people have died in the ongoing violence, The Hindu reported.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah canceled election engagements to assess the security crisis in Manipur with senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Security forces, including the Army and Assam Rifles, have been deployed to Imphal under curfew and an Internet shutdown.

Lieutenant General Abhijit S Pendharkar, General Officer Commanding of 3 Corps, and CRPF Director General Anish Dayal arrived in Imphal for security reviews. Lt Gen Pendharkar is scheduled to visit Jiribam, now the focal point of violence, on 19 November.

The Congress’ Manipur unit urged Chief Minister N Biren Singh to arrange a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the crisis collectively with ruling and opposition legislators. Former CM Okram Ibobi Singh questioned the purpose of the Assembly if leaders could not ensure the state’s safety.

Protesters have targeted homes and properties of at least 13 political figures, crossing party lines, in valley districts. Police stopped a mob attempting to vandalise a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office in Imphal on Sunday.

Authorities reported that eight individuals were injured as police used tear gas to disperse mobs on Saturday night. 23 people were arrested for alleged involvement in arson and property damage in Imphal East, Imphal West, and Bishnupur. Police seized a pistol, ammunition, and mobile phones during these operations.

The MHA has reinstated the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in MayJiribam and nearby areas to enable swift military operations. Since 3, 2023, over 250 people have been killed in ethnic clashes between the tribal Kuki-Zo-Hmar and Meitei communities.