Civil society organizations in Manipur have given the state government a 24-hour ultimatum, demanding immediate and decisive action against militant groups amid escalating violence in the region. The unrest intensified on Saturday evening, when a large mob attempted to storm the residence of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, prompting security forces to deploy tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The protests were sparked by the discovery of six bodies in Jiribam district, including that of an eight-month-old child, two women, and three men. The victims had been missing since Monday, following violent clashes between armed Kuki militants and security forces. The bodies were recovered from the Barak River, further inflaming public anger and raising questions about the government’s response to the ongoing violence.
Khuraijam Athouba, spokesperson for the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a Meitei civil rights group, expressed outrage over the government’s perceived inaction and failure to communicate with the public. “All the representatives of the state and the MLAs should sit together and take decisive action to resolve this crisis,” Athouba said. “If they do not take action to the satisfaction of the people of Manipur, they will bear the consequences. We have set a 24-hour ultimatum for both the Government of India and the Government of Manipur to take military action against all armed groups.”
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The situation has been further complicated by the controversial imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in six police station areas. Civil society groups have criticized AFSPA, which grants sweeping powers to security forces, accusing it of exacerbating tensions and deepening distrust between the local population and the authorities. COCOMI has called for an immediate military crackdown on militants and the repeal of AFSPA.
Violence also erupted across the state on Saturday, as protesters targeted the residences of state ministers and MLAs. The homes of Municipal Administration Minister Y. Khemchand, Consumer Affairs Minister L. Susindro Singh, and Health Minister Sapam Ranjan were attacked, with property being vandalized and set on fire. The home of BJP MLA RK Imo Singh, the son-in-law of Chief Minister Singh, was also targeted. In response to the violence, security forces used tear gas to control the crowds.
Minister Ranjan assured protesters that he would raise their concerns at a cabinet meeting and offered to resign if the government failed to act decisively.
In an effort to curb further violence, the state government imposed indefinite curfews in five districts, including Imphal East and Imphal West, and suspended internet services in seven districts, citing concerns over the spread of misinformation.
The violence stems from the ongoing ethnic conflict between the Meitei community and the Kukis, a tribal group that has longstanding ties to Myanmar and Mizoram. The Meiteis, who are seeking inclusion under the Scheduled Tribes category, and the Kukis, who are demanding a separate administrative region, have been at odds for months. The conflict has led to over 220 deaths and displaced nearly 50,000 people across the state.
