Internet blackouts, AFSPA withdrawal ultimatum, delayed funerals, etc. – Firstpost

Manipur remains on high alert following violent protests that erupted after the discovery of six bodies, including women and children, allegedly abducted and killed by militants in Jiribam district.

Authorities have imposed an indefinite curfew in several districts of the Imphal Valley and suspended internet services in seven districts to curb the unrest.

The discovery sparked widespread outrage, leading to the deployment of the Army and Assam Rifles personnel to restore order.

The protests, which began on Saturday (November 16), saw demonstrators ransacking the homes of three state ministers, six legislators and other political figures, including BJP MLA RK Imo, son-in-law of Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

Security forces fired tear gas to disperse the crowd as tensions escalated.

Bodies found after shootout in Jiribam

The reason for the violence was the disappearance of six people, three women and three children, from a relief camp in Jiribam following a shootout between militants and security forces. The bodies were found in two different locations.

Three, including a woman and two children, were found near the confluence of the Jiri and Barak rivers. The remaining three bodies were found on Saturday.

The gruesome discovery sparked outrage across the state, with protesters demanding accountability and attacking the homes of local politicians. Roads in Imphal were littered with debris on Sunday, a testament to the scale of the unrest.

Curfews and internet suspensions are in place

In response to the escalation of violence, the authorities imposed a curfew in Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Tubal and Kakching districts. Internet services were also suspended in seven districts, including Imphal East and West, to prevent the spread of provocative content and maintain law and order.

The Coordination Committee for Integrity of Manipur (COCOMI) issued an ultimatum demanding military action against those responsible for the deaths within 24 hours. The group also renewed calls for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), which was revived in several counties earlier this month.

Also, tension remains high in the Kuki Zo community following the death of 10 youths in an alleged gunfight with the CRPF in Jiribam area.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), the lead organization representing the community, has announced that it will postpone the burial of the victims until a post-mortem report is submitted.

“We cannot touch bodies without postmortem documents. Interfering with them could lead to legal problems,” ITLF spokesman Ginza Wualzong said on Sunday.

An emergency meeting of the ITLF was called to decide the next course of action for the community regarding the funeral. The delay adds to rising tensions in a state already grappling with unrest and violence.

With the help of agencies