Manipur , Nov 17, 2024, By Our Correspondent
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), the apex body representing the Meitei community, has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to both the Manipur and Central governments to take "decisive action" against armed groups wreaking havoc in the state or face severe public backlash. The call came as violent protests continue to escalate across the Valley districts, with mobs attacking the residences of several ministers and MLAs.
COCOMI spokesperson Khuraijam Athouba, speaking on behalf of the community, demanded immediate measures to address the ongoing crisis. He stressed the urgency of action by the 50 elected MLAs, urging them to come together across party lines to resolve the ethnic tensions that have rocked the state. “If they do not take decisive actions that satisfy the people of the state, the government will face the brunt of the people's anger and discontent,” Athouba said.
The Meitei body also called for an urgent military crackdown on armed groups involved in violence across Manipur. While strongly opposing the recent imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in six police stations across the state, Athouba criticized the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for imposing the law in an authoritarian manner. He argued that the decision was made without consulting the people of Manipur, and that there had been no significant incidents of violence in the areas where AFSPA had been enforced.
In the meantime, protests continue to grip the state. On the same day as COCOMI's ultimatum, 13 civil society organizations joined the chorus of dissent, calling for the resignation of all 50 MLAs, including Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. The organizations have accused the state leadership of lacking the political will to address the crisis and warned that a public uprising could be imminent if their demands are not met.
The unrest has intensified in recent days, with mobs setting fire to the residences of multiple lawmakers. On Saturday night, the homes of PWD Minister Govindas Konthoujam and four other legislators were targeted by violent protesters. These included three BJP MLAs and one Congress representative. The residences, located in different districts of the Manipur Valley, were either attacked or attempted to be attacked, while the MLAs and their families were not present at the time of the assaults.
Despite the intense violence, security forces intervened in several instances to prevent further damage. Assam Rifles, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, and state commandos deployed tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds, leading to injuries for over 15 individuals. The situation became more chaotic as protesters burned tyres on main roads, obstructing traffic and hindering mobility across Imphal, the state capital.
In a related incident, the bodies of six women and children who had been missing since November 11 were recovered from a river in the violence-affected Jiribam district. The bodies, still unidentified by their families, were discovered near the confluence of the Jiri and Barak rivers, along the Manipur-Assam border. The discovery triggered further protests, with mobs attacking the residences of key ministers, including Sapam Ranjan Singh, Leishangthem Susindro Meitei, and Yumnam Khemchand Singh.
The attacks on the residences of legislators also included the home of Rajkumar Imo Singh, the son-in-law of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. While the ministers and their families were unharmed, the mob actions led to the destruction of vehicles, vandalism, and the setting of fires. The violence has raised concerns about the stability of the region, which has already been suffering from the impact of ethnic clashes.
To control the situation, authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in several districts, including Imphal East, West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, and Kakching, to restore law and order. The curfew was followed by the suspension of mobile internet and data services in seven districts, including Imphal East, Imphal West, and Bishnupur, for two days starting on Saturday evening. This move aims to curb the spread of misinformation and ease the security situation.
The Ministry of Home Affairs responded by directing security forces to take all necessary steps to restore peace and order in Manipur. An MHA statement on Saturday described the ongoing violence as a result of armed miscreants from both communities involved in the conflict. The ministry also acknowledged the disruption of public order and the loss of lives in recent days, emphasizing the fragile security situation in the state.
As the situation in Manipur grows increasingly tense, both the state and central governments face mounting pressure to address the grievances of the people and resolve the deep-rooted ethnic tensions that have led to this crisis. With the clock ticking on the 24-hour ultimatum, the coming days could prove critical in determining the future stability of the state.