- By Priyanka Koul
- Mon, 18 Nov 2024 01:16 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Manipur Violence: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday took over three cases registered in connection with the ongoing violence in the northeastern state of Manipur. The move comes amid rising ethnic tensions which have resulted in casualties and severe disruption of public order. The state, which has been witnessing ethnic strife since May 2023, saw a surge in violence after the decomposed bodies of a woman and two children were recovered on Friday, November 15.
The bodies belonged to three of the six members of the Meitei community, who has allegedly been abducted on November 11, when suspected Kuki militants ambushed the Borobekra police station and a CRPF camp in Jiribam. 10 militants were gunned down by the security forces after a fierce encounter. The recovery of bodies led to tensions and aggressive protests as mobs set fire to the residences of BJP and Congress legislators in various districts of Imphal Valley on Saturday night. The agitators also attempted to storm the ancestral residence of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, but were stopped by the security forces.
The state has since been under clampdown, with internet suspended and the reimposition of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Manipur's six police station areas, including Jiribam. Fresh protests broke out on Sunday after two more bodies, a beheaded body of two-year-old and a 60-year-old woman, were found floating in a river near Jiribam.
Manipur Violence: Here are the top developments from the violence-hit northeastern state
- The NIA took over three cases from the Manipur Police, two days after the Ministry of Home Affairs ordered the transfer of cases. These cases include a gun battle between the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Kuki militants that took place in the Jiribam area of Manipur. At least 10 Kuki militants were killed in the exchange of fire. A separate case involving the kidnapping of six people has also been handed over to the NIA. Shortly after the abduction, their bodies were discovered, and the NIA has registered a separate case regarding this incident.
- A protester was killed in firing late Sunday night amid a fight between security personnel and a mob vandalising property in Manipur's Jiribam district, police said Monday. Police confirmed that one individual was killed in the shooting but did not say who opened fire, despite eyewitnesses claiming the shooting originated from the direction of security troops. The incident occurred late on Sunday night, when agitators vandalised properties in Babupara, near the Jiribam police station, to protest the massacre of women and children taken by militants. The deceased has been identified as K Athouba, who was in his twenties, he stated. A group of agitators ransacked the Congress and BJP offices, as well as the house of Jiribam's Independent MLA.
- The Centre is mulling the increase in deployment of security forces as the 20 companies sent to Manipur last week seem insufficient given the current tense situation, News18 reported citing sources. Additional forces are expected to be deployed, and planning for this has already begun following a high-level conference held by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. These additional troops will be spread evenly throughout the state's hilly and valley sections, with a particular emphasis on the valley region.
- Jiribam district, the epicenter of recent violence, has seen several companies deployed, with additional platoons stationed in nearby areas at risk of further attacks. Both the Meitei and Kuki communities have expressed opposition to the deployment of forces. More troops are expected to arrive once official communication is received.
- CRPF Director General Anish Dayal, who has been sent to Manipur, will assess the situation and report back to the Ministry of Home Affairs. After his evaluation, he is expected to brief Amit Shah, which will guide further decisions following consultations with local officials. The DG CRPF will also visit the affected areas to evaluate the deployment of forces.
- On November 14, 2024, the central government planned to deploy an additional 2,000 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) officers to strengthen the state's security. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced this decision late on Tuesday, and it covers 20 CAPF companies, 15 of which are from the Central Reserve Police Force. To allow for quick deployment, soldiers are being airlifted to strengthen the existing security infrastructure.
- In addition to security measures, Shah and Dayal will most likely discuss a letter from the Manipur government requesting that the Centre withdraw its plan to extend the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) to six police stations in the state as part of expanding the Army's operational jurisdiction.