In a concerning turn of events, suspected militants have once again unleashed violence in Manipur’s Jiribam district, torching a police outpost and setting several houses on fire, according to officials.
The incident occurred in the Chotobekra area, where the Jiri police outpost situated along the Barak river was set ablaze around 12:30 am on Saturday. The attackers, believed to be militants from hill-based areas in Manipur, were armed and launched multiple attacks under the cover of darkness at Lamtai khunou and Modhupur, approximately 220 km away from Imphal, the state’s capital.
While the exact number of houses affected is yet to be confirmed, reports indicate significant damage in the outlying areas of Jiribam district. Responding to the situation, a commando contingent of Manipur Police has been airlifted from Imphal to bolster security operations against the militants.
Congress MP-elect from the Inner Manipur seat, Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, has urged the state government to prioritize the protection of lives and properties in Jiribam. Expressing concern, Akoijam highlighted the disparity in security provisions between the town and peripheral areas.
The violence has prompted the evacuation of nearly 239 individuals, primarily women and children, from their villages in Jiribam. They have sought refuge in a sports complex in Jiri town as the situation remains tense following the killing of a man by militants, which sparked the recent spate of violence.
This outbreak comes amid ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur since May 2023, primarily between the Meiteis and Kukis, claiming over 200 lives and displacing thousands. The incident marks a distressing escalation in a region already grappling with long-standing socio-political challenges.
Authorities in Jiribam had imposed an indefinite curfew on June 6 following the initial violence, aiming to contain further unrest. However, the recent attacks underscore the deep-rooted complexities that continue to plague Manipur, calling for swift and effective measures to restore peace and ensure the safety of its residents.
Sources By Agencies