Protests Escalate: Crowd Storms Manipur CM’s House In Imphal Following Attacks On Houses Of Ministers

Earlier today, the Manipur government imposed a curfew in Imphal and suspended internet services across seven districts following protests demanding justice for the murder of three individuals in Jiribam district.

Manipur CM N. Biren Singh
by Avijit Gupta - November 17, 2024, 12:14 am

A mob on saturday attempted to storm the private residence of Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh in Imphal, prompting security personnel to use tear gas shells to disperse the crowd gathered outside.

According to sources, Singh was not at his residence during the incident and is currently safe at his office.

Imphal Curfew 

Earlier today, the Manipur government imposed a curfew in Imphal and suspended internet services across seven districts following protests demanding justice for the murder of three individuals in Jiribam district.

The demonstrations escalated into violence, with protesters storming the residences of two ministers and three MLAs in Imphal.

Officials reported that the residence of Health and Family Welfare Minister Sapam Ranjan in Lamphel Sanakeithel was attacked by a mob, along with the house of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Minister L. Susindro Singh.

In the Sagolband area of Imphal West district, protesters gathered outside the residence of BJP legislator RK Imo, son-in-law of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, demanding an “appropriate response” to the killings and urging authorities to “arrest the culprits within 24 hours.”

At the residence of independent legislator Sapam Nishikanta Singh on Tiddim Road in Keishamthong constituency, demonstrators, upon learning that he was out of state, attacked the office of a local newspaper owned by the legislator. The mob also damaged temporary structures outside the building.

In response to the unrest, Imphal West District Magistrate Th. Kirankumar issued an order imposing a curfew from 4:30 pm on Saturday.

Must Read: Manipur: Two Bodies Found After Jiribam Encounter; Six People Missing

Protests held after 3 bodies were found in Jiribam 

The bodies of three individuals, suspected to be among the six who went missing from Jiribam on Monday, were found floating in the River Jiri. The unidentified remains, including those of a woman and two children, were transported to Silchar in Assam last night and are currently held at the hospital morgue for postmortem examination.

Officials are awaiting the postmortem results and have collected photographs to aid in identification. Due to limited facilities in Jiribam, the autopsies are being conducted in Silchar.

MHA on the incident

Earlier today, the Union Home Ministry released a statement as fresh violence erupted in Manipur following the deaths of 11 suspected militants in a gunfight with security forces.

The unrest intensified the next day, with armed militants abducting six civilians, including women and children, from the same area.

“The security scenario in Manipur has remained fragile for the past few days. Armed miscreants from both communities in conflict have been indulging in violence leading to unfortunate loss of lives and disruption in public order,” the Home Ministry stated.

The Ministry also assured that strict action would be taken against individuals involved in violent or disruptive activities. Additionally, several key cases have been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further investigation.

Also Read: Manipur Woman Brutally Tortured and Burned Alive, Autopsy Reveals