Manipur is once again submerged into violence with curfew being applied, the internet being shut down, and social unrest covering the entire state.
What Is Happening In Manipur?
Manipur is burning, Manipur violence and more are the topics going around with the extreme anger against the ruling government in the state and its inability to protect the people. The dispute between the Kuki and Meitei communities has escalated to alarming levels with both accusing the other of attacking it.
On 18 November the Manipur administration extended the already ongoing internet shutdown till 20 November and now includes the regions of Imphal Valley and the districts of Kangpokpi and Churachandpur.
The suspension of internet and mobile data services was placed in the state along with an indefinite curfew being imposed in Imphal West and East, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Kakching districts of Imphal Valley.
This was done after protesters stormed the residential places of state ministers and MLAs, and some of them were even set on fire. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) has also been invoked in Manipur’s six police station areas.
Along with this, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Director General and 7,000 troops have also been sent to the state to suppress the violence.
Conrad Sangma’s National People’s Party (NPP), has also now publically withdrawn its support from the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). NPP is the second-largest ally with seven MLAs in the NDA state government.
NPP chief Conrad Sangma said, “We strongly feel that the Manipur state government under the leadership of Shri Biren Singh has completely failed to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy. Keeping the current situation in mind, the National People’s Party has decided to withdraw its support to the Biren Singh-led Government in the State of Manipur, with immediate effect.”
In a letter to BJP chief JP Nadda he also said, “In the last few days, we have seen the situation further deteriorate where many more innocent lives have been lost and people in the state are going through immense suffering.”
Read More: ResearchED: Manipur Violence: What Happened And Current Situation
How It Started?
The state turned violent again when the dead bodies of six people, including two children were found, thus leading to a rise on 7 November.
As per reports, these individuals were allegedly kidnapped by militants from the Kuki tribe in the Jiribam district. In another incident from the same day, the Zairawn village was attacked by an armed group speculated to be Meiteis.
This group reportedly committed many crimes such as burning homes and schools and even raping and killing a woman who then burned. To this Kuki representatives raised their voices in anger accusing the CRPF of not protecting the village. It all escalated when Meitei individuals were attacked by a group suspected to comprise Kuki militants.
It all came to a head when on 11 November, the CRPF and alleged Kuki militants got into a clash in the Borokera, Jiribam region and it led to the death of ten militants. The Manipur Police recovered several weapons like AK rifles, SLRs, and an RPG and the gunfire lasted almost 40 minutes.
In the midst of all this, six people from a Meitei family were abducted and two of them were found dead.
On November 15 and 16, the bodies of the abducted family were recovered from a river and this led to the current unrest the state is witnessing with people lashing out in retaliatory violence, especially against residences of MLAs, public infrastructure, churches, and more.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Business Standard, Firstpost, Hindustan Times
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