At least 20 more CAPF companies rushed to Manipur as violence spikes

Guwahati: The Centre has rushed 20 companies of central armed police forces (CAPFs) to Manipur amid fresh violence. Around 15 CRPF companies from Assam and five companies of Border Security Force from Tripura were sent to Manipur.

Meanwhile, life in Manipur, especially in the Valley districts, came to a halt on Wednesday as a 24-hour shutdown, imposed by a coalition of 13 civil society organisations (CSOs), brought the state to a standstill. Markets, schools, colleges and offices were closed. The shutdown, which began on Tuesday afternoon till 6 pm on Wednesday, was called to protest the state government’s alleged inability to address recent violence that have escalated tensions and uprooted communities across the region.

A truck transporting onions was set ablaze on the Jiribam-Imphal highway (NH-37) on Wednesday. The attack occurred on a section of the highway that connects Jiribam, Tamenglong and Noney districts.

In response to this, the Rongmei Naga community has announced a boycott of supplies to the Kuki community in Tamenglong and Noney districts, effective immediately. In a statement, the Rongmei Naga community condemned the attack, describing it as an assault not only on the trucks but on the community’s well-being.

Tension is rife as two civilians were killed by suspected militants and their bodies recovered on Tuesday in Jiribam. Around 10 suspected militants were killed in heavy exchange of fire in Manipur’s Jiribam district on Monday. Two CRPF jawans also suffered injuries. Six people are still missing. During the past two weeks, farmers in a few districts were unable to work in their paddy fields due to firing by armed attackers from the hilltops towards the low-lying fields.

Two women were killed by suspected attackers in the Bishnupur and Jiribam districts, respectively, last week. Manipur has witnessed attacks and violent incidents in different districts over past two weeks.Congress leader and former CM Okram Ibobi Singh voiced deep concern over the worsening crisis, calling on both state and central governments to act urgently. Speaking at a press conference Ibobi underscored the critical need for intervention, highlighting the plight of six individuals, including three minors, reportedly held captive in Jiribam. He urged the captors to release them.