One protester dead in fresh violence as mob ransacks BJP, Congress offices in Manipur

Violence continues in Manipur; Police make arrests following mob attacks

A protester was killed and another injured on Sunday as violence erupted once again in Manipur’s valley areas, marking another escalation in the ongoing unrest. Security forces opened fire in Jiribam district to disperse a crowd, resulting in the death of a 20-year-old man, identified as K Athouba. The incident took place around 11 pm at Babupara, within 500 meters of the local police station.

In the same area, a mob ransacked the local offices of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, setting fire to furniture and other property. The violence has further stoked tensions in the region, prompting heightened security measures.

The injured individual was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, though his condition remains undisclosed. Security forces have been deployed to manage the unrest in the region, which has been plagued by escalating protests and violent clashes in recent weeks.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to meet with senior government and security officials today to review the situation in Manipur. The meeting will include top officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Union Home Secretary, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau, and senior officers from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the Assam Rifles.

The discussions come after renewed violence in the valley areas, sparked by the recent killings of six people, which has further strained the fragile security situation. The MHA has already imposed a curfew in Imphal West and East, while internet services have been suspended in seven districts as a precautionary measure to curb unrest and prevent the spread of misinformation.

Amid the intensifying crisis, the National People’s Party (NPP) has withdrawn its support from the BJP-led government in Manipur, accusing the state administration of failing to resolve the ongoing violence. In a letter to BJP President J P Nadda on Sunday, NPP President and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma expressed grave concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation, which he said had led to the loss of innocent lives.

“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,” the letter read.

The BJP, which won 32 seats in the 60-member Manipur Assembly in the 2022 elections, is now left without the support of the NPP, which held seven seats. The withdrawal of NPP support marks a significant blow to the BJP’s political standing in the state and raises questions about the stability of the state government amid the crisis.

On Sunday, the Manipur Police announced the arrest of 23 individuals in connection with the recent violence, including the mob attacks on political offices and the burning of properties. The police seized one .32 caliber pistol, seven rounds of SBBL ammunition, and eight mobile phones from the suspects.

As the state grapples with continued unrest, the situation remains fluid, with security forces on high alert and the central government closely monitoring developments. The ongoing violence and political fallout have raised concerns over the future stability of Manipur, with both local and national authorities under increasing pressure to restore peace and address the grievances of the state’s communities.

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