Manipur: Curfew reimposed in Imphal valley, no internet in 7 districts | Latest News India

Authorities Manipur Amid mounting tension over the abduction of six members of the Meitei family and subsequent recovery of three unidentified bodies, a curfew was reimposed in the Imphal valley on Saturday and internet suspended in at least seven districts, even as the state government urged the Center to withdraw the ban. Recent reintroduction of Afspa in some districts of Manipur.

Protesters protested the death of two state ministers – Sapam Ranjan Lamphel Sanakeithel (BJP) and L Susindro Singh (BJP) – and five MLAs – S Kunjakesor (BJP), RK Imo (BJP), K Raghumani (BJP), Sapam Nishikant (BJP). ) raided his house. Independent) and Kh Joykisan (Janata Dal (United)) — set fire to shops, torched vehicles and blocked major roads amid fresh wave of violence People aware of the situation said there was a need to lay siege to the state. There were reports that the Prime Minister was also there. N Biren SinghThe man’s house was raided late on Saturday night.

Amid the volatile ground situation, Imphal West district magistrate Th Kirankumar and Imfal East District magistrate Khumanthem Diana announced the tightening of the curfew, days after the curfew was lifted in two districts of Imphal East and Imphal West under separate but identical orders.

“Due to the security situation that has now developed in the district, the above-mentioned curfew relaxation decision has been canceled with immediate effect from 16.30 on November 16, 2024. A total curfew is imposed starting from 16.30 on November. 16, 2024, until further orders,” it said.

Manipur chief secretary Vineet Joshi announced the suspension of internet services in Imphal West and Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangkokpi and Churchandpur, covering strongholds of both Meitei and tribal communities.

The reimposition of restrictions comes after fresh attacks on civilians and renewed gunfights between forces and militants in the conflict-torn northeastern state. On Monday, security forces shot dead 10 suspected militants in Jiribam area after a group of gunmen attacked the CRPF post. A day after the conflict, the bodies of two civilians were found in Jiribam village. Six members of the Meitei family (three women and three children) from the same village were reported missing; Authorities said these people were probably kidnapped by militants. The suspects were identified as Yurembam Rani Devi (60), Telem Thoibi Debi (31), Laisram Heitombi Devi (25), Telem Thajmanbi Devi (8), Laisram Chingkheiganba Singh (2) and Laisram Langamba Singh (8 months).

On Friday, the decomposed bodies of two children, including a baby and a woman, were found near the Manipur-Assam border, fueling speculation that the bodies belonged to abductees and triggering violent protests.

A legislator on condition of anonymity said that 19 MLAs are set to resign in the wake of murders and increasing attacks on Meitei MLAs. “There is no point in continuing to be a legislator in this situation,” the lawmaker added.

The Center has already sent 20 additional paramilitary groups or around 2,500 personnel to Manipur; Clashes that began here about 18 months ago between the majority Meitei and tribal Kukis left 240 people dead and other communities increasingly engulfed in violence. The Union government on Thursday reintroduced the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, or Afspa, in areas under the jurisdiction of six police stations in five Manipur districts, more than a year after it was abolished from these places.

On Saturday, the BJP government in the state wrote a letter to Union home minister Govind Mohan, seeking withdrawal of the order.

A letter from the Joint Secretary (Home) to the Center stated that “the state cabinet discussed the same (reintroduction of AFSPA) in its meeting on November 15 and decided to advise the Central government for review and withdrawal of AFSPA.” Declaration of areas falling under the jurisdiction of six police stations in the state as degraded areas under Section 3 of AFSPA 1958”.

The statement said, “In this regard, it is requested that the notification dated 14-11-2024 be reviewed and withdrawn for the public interest.”

The effects of long-standing ethnic hostilities meant the retreat of the Meiteis, who lived mainly in the plains of the Imphal valley, and the Kukis, who lived mainly in the hills, rather than providing any administrative assistance to a now fragmented society. to their own goal. In response, security forces created buffer zones in different border areas and established camps and police stations on highways. But often militants from both groups use hills and forestland to move into other areas and attack each other.

The bodies of 10 tribal men killed in the Jiribam gunfight earlier in the week were flown to Churachandpur from Assam’s Silchar town, where autopsies were performed, on Saturday.

Hundreds of people in tribal-majority Churachandpur took to the streets on Friday and demanded justice for those killed, saying they were village volunteers and not militants.