In a rapidly escalating crisis, civil society groups in Manipur have given the state government a 24-hour ultimatum, demanding immediate and decisive action against armed militant groups. The call for action comes as Manipur continues to grapple with violent unrest, including an attempted breach of Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s residence by a mob on Saturday evening.
Manipur’s Imphal Valley relapsed into chaos on Saturday (November 16, 2024) after unconfirmed reports that the bodies of all six persons, believed to be of women and children missing since November 11, 2024, had been recovered from a river along the State’s border with Assam.
As protestors took to the streets, setting vehicles ablaze and attacking the residences of several MLAs in the State’s capital Imphal, the government temporarily suspended internet and mobile data services in seven affected districts of the valley, which is dominated by the non-tribal Meiteis, and the surrounding hills where the tribal Kuki-Zos are in a majority. Curfew was also clamped in the three valley districts of Imphal East, Imphal West, and Bishnupur.
Amid the rising violence in Manipur, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has voiced his concerns, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the state and take steps to restore peace. Gandhi expressed his deep concern on X (formerly Twitter), stating:
“The recent string of violent clashes and continuing bloodshed in Manipur is deeply disturbing. After more than a year of division and suffering, it was the hope of every Indian that the Central and State governments would have made every effort at reconciliation and found a solution. I urge the PM once again to visit Manipur and work towards restoring peace and healing in the region.”
Join our whatsapp group for Latest updates