Imphal: The brutal killings of 6 innocent Meitei women and children by Kuki terrorists boiled the strife ridden Manipur. Thousands of people including women went out to the street to protest the heinous crime committed by suspected Kuki terrorists.
The valley districts of Manipur descended into chaos on November 17 late evening as violent protests broke out following the discovery of six bodies—three women and three children—in the Barak River in Jiribam district. These victims are Meitei individuals abducted by Kuki terrorists from Jiribam which includes one infant and two minors , escalating tensions in the conflict-ridden state.
Angry demonstrators targeted properties and attacked the homes of several ministers and MLAs across Imphal. Security forces intervened to prevent a mob from reaching the vacant ancestral residence of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, located outside Imphal. A similar attempt was made to storm his personal residence in Heingang, Imphal East, but heavy security deployment stopped protesters within a 500-metre radius of the property.
Government Imposes Curfew, Suspends Internet
In response to the escalating violence, the Manipur government imposed an indefinite curfew in Imphal East, Imphal West, and Bishnupur districts starting 4:30 PM. Internet and mobile data services were suspended in seven districts, including Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur, to prevent the spread of inflammatory content on social media platforms.
The deceased include a 25-year-old woman and her two young children, a 31-year-old woman and her daughter, and a 60-year-old woman. Reports suggest they were abducted from a camp for displaced Meitei people near Jiribam. Their bodies have been sent to Silchar Medical College and Hospital in Assam for autopsy.
The incident occurred near the site where security forces recently killed ten Kuki Zo Hmar terrorists on November 11. However, the Kuki-Zo community asserts that these individuals were village volunteers.
Public Outrage and Shutdown:
As protests spread, schools, colleges, and markets were shut down. Demonstrators blocked key roads and stormed the residences of several MLAs, accusing them of failing to act during the crisis. Authorities are on high alert, closely monitoring the situation to prevent further violence.
This latest incident underscores the deep divisions and ongoing strife in Manipur, where ethnic tensions have fueled a cycle of violence.
