Attempted attack on Chief Minister's house in Manipur, 24-hour ultimatum

Members of the Meitei community have given the state government a 24-hour ultimatum demanding strict action against terrorist groups in Manipur, India. Earlier on Saturday (November 16) evening, violence erupted again in the state after a group of agitated mobs attempted to attack the residence of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. Security forces fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.

After six dead bodies were recovered from the Barak river in Jiribam district, the tension spread in the Indian state. An eight-month-old baby and two women were among the dead, fueling public outrage. They accused the government of negligence and irresponsibility.

These six were missing since last Monday. On that day, 10 armed Kuki members were killed in a clash with the security forces.

Kokomi's stern warning

Meitei rights organization Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (Kokomi) spokesperson Khuraizam Athoba warned that all legislators of the state must come together and take concrete steps. We have given the government a 24-hour deadline to launch military operations against terrorist groups. If they do not take any action to satisfy the people, they will have to bear the consequences.

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A few days ago, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act was re-promulgated in six police station areas of Manipur. Kokomi demanded the immediate repeal of the law and military operations against the terrorists. The spokesperson warned that if their demands were not met, the reaction of the people would be more intense.

Attack on the houses of ministers and MLAs

Earlier, protesters attacked the houses of three state ministers and six MLAs on Saturday night. The house of Chief Minister Biren Singh's son-in-law and BJP MLA RK Imo Singh was vandalized and the property set on fire. Similarly, the homes of Municipal Administration Minister Y Khemchand and Consumer Affairs Minister L Sushindra Singh were attacked.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sapam Ranjan's house was also attacked. To reassure the protesters, he said that he would raise their demands in the cabinet meeting and resign if necessary.

Curfew issued, internet service stopped

To combat the violence, the state government has imposed an indefinite curfew in five districts including Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Kakching. Internet services have also been stopped in seven districts.

Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi claimed that the move was taken to prevent the spread of misinformation and further incitement to violence.

The ongoing conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur has so far killed over 200 people and displaced around 50,000 people. The Meiteira are demanding enrollment as a reserved tribe, while the Kuki community wants a separate administrative region.

In the current situation, tension is prevailing across the state, which is feared to lead to further violence.

Source: NDTV
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