The ongoing violence in Manipur, which began on May 3, 2023, has continued to plague the region for over 19 months, leaving innocent civilians to suffer immensely. The recent spate of brutality, including the inhuman killing of women and children, has drawn widespread condemnation, with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Manipur unit issuing a strong statement urging both the central and state governments to take immediate and sincere action to resolve the crisis.
The violence, which has escalated sporadically since May 2023, has ravaged several districts, especially affecting the Imphal East and West areas. According to the RSS, the suffering of innocent people continues unabated, and the unresolved conflict remains a severe humanitarian crisis. In its statement, the RSS condemned the recent atrocities, specifically the abduction, captivity, and subsequent killing of women and children, labeling the actions as “cowardly” and contrary to the very essence of humanity and peaceful co-existence.
The RSS called for an urgent, sincere resolution of the conflict, emphasizing the central and state governments’ responsibility to address the situation promptly. The organization expressed deep concern over the extent of the violence, which has disrupted the lives of countless civilians, leading to significant loss of life, property, and a breakdown of social order.
The violence took an even darker turn in mid-November 2024, when six bodies, believed to belong to three women and three children, were recovered from the Jiribam district. These individuals had been missing since November 11, and their bodies were discovered on November 15 and 16 near the confluence of the Jiri and Barak rivers, close to the Manipur-Assam border. The bodies, which were not immediately identifiable, were transported to the Silchar Medical College and Hospital in Assam for post-mortem examinations.
The horrific discovery came shortly after the November 11 clash, during which a confrontation between Kuki militants and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) resulted in the death of 10 suspected militants. In another incident, militants abducted 10 civilians from a relief camp at Jakuradhor, located in the Borobekra sub-division of Jiribam district. Search operations by the police led to the recovery of two elderly civilian bodies, identified as Maibam Kesho Singh (75) and Laishram Barel (61), but the whereabouts of six others, including three children and three women, remained unknown until the recent discovery of their bodies.
Meitei organisations, which have been at the forefront of raising concerns about the violence, have accused Kuki militants of abducting the three children and three women, who were allegedly kept in captivity before being brutally murdered. While the identities of the deceased remain under investigation, these claims have added fuel to the already intense anger and frustration within the local population, further exacerbating the deep-rooted divisions in the region.
In recent days, political offices and the residences of several ministers, MLAs, and political leaders have come under attack. Mobs vandalised and set fire to these properties across multiple districts, particularly in Imphal East and West. This wave of destruction followed the discovery of the six bodies, heightening tensions and fears of further violence in the coming days.
The RSS has been vocal in calling for a swift and peaceful resolution to the violence that has ravaged the region for over a year. In its statement, the organisation expressed dismay at the government’s inability to resolve the conflict and stressed the importance of taking immediate action to end the cycle of violence and restore peace to Manipur.
The RSS emphasised the need for dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding among all communities to end the bloodshed. It further urged both the central and state governments to work together to address the root causes of the conflict, rebuild trust, and ensure that such heinous crimes against women and children are not repeated.
