Curfew was imposed in Imphal West and Imphal East, while internet services were suspended across seven districts in violence-stricken Manipur, following the discovery of six bodies in Jiribam. The victims, allegedly kidnapped by militants, included three women and three children. Protests erupted in Imphal Valley, with mobs targeting the residences of several MLAs and causing property damage.
The curfew and internet shutdown impacted Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur districts for two days. Protestors gathered in Khwairamband Keithel, demanding justice for the victims, whose bodies were found near a river in Jiribam.
The six individuals had gone missing during a gunfight between militants and security forces in Jiribam on November 6. Meitei organizations have accused militants of kidnapping the victims. The bodies were later sent to Silchar Medical College for postmortem.
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Violence has escalated in the region amid ongoing ethnic clashes between the Kuki and Meitei communities. The government had declared a holiday for schools and colleges on Saturday. The state remains under heightened tension, with the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) reimposed in six police station areas, including Jiribam, due to the volatile situation.
Since May 3 last year, ethnic violence has claimed over 200 lives and displaced thousands in Manipur.