Manipur Burns: Tension rises after discovery of bodies in Jiribam district

Manipur continues to grapple with unrest as tensions soared following the recovery of bodies in Jiribam district.The discovery of the bodies, including women and children, has brought out widespread anger in the public which has sparked violent protests in the state and increased security measures.

Six missing persons, reportedly women and children, whose bodies were retrieved from the Barak River along the Assam-Manipur border, came up on Saturday. Among those bodies was that of an infant, and those revelations further fueled public grievance and anger. Protesters stormed the streets of Imphal, demanding answers from the government regarding what they reckon is a failure to protect its people. Residences of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, and other MLAs were attacked by mobs demanding resignations if immediate action wasn’t taken against the alleged perpetrators for setting some of the property ablaze. While the state government imposed curfews in the districts of Imphal East, Imphal West and Bishnupur, mobile internet services were suspended in seven districts in a bid to check the spread of misinformation and violence. Tear gas was used by the security forces to disperse the worked up crowds as chaos pervaded the entire valley.

Various civil society groups, including Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity, have given the state and central governments an ultimatum of 24 hours demanding decisive action against armed militant groups and crackdown on the killers. “If no concrete steps are taken, the government will suffer the anger of the people”, COCOMI spokesperson Khuraijam Athouba said.

Amid the unrest, fresh violence erupted in Jiribam, with reports of arson targeting vacated houses and religious structures, including churches. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), representing the tribal Kuki-Zo community, condemned the attacks, calling for immediate restoration of peace and security.

Since May 2023, ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur has caused over 220 deaths and nearly 50,000 to become internally displaced. Issues of land rights, representation, and identity are the reasons behind this ongoing conflict. The Meiteis are demanding Scheduled Tribe status while Kuki-Zo are fighting for a separate administration.

The Manipur government, meanwhile, has appealed to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for a review of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in six districts, citing the need to restore public trust. However, critics argue that the act has only deepened resentment among communities.

As the situation in Manipur remains fragile, voices from the ground urge swift and meaningful dialogue to prevent further bloodshed and rebuild trust in the state’s governance.