Imphal Valley faces complete shutdown amid protests over alleged kidnappings in Jiribam – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Thirteen civil society organizations on Tuesday evening called for a total shutdown for 24 hours in five districts in Manipur’s Imphal Valley. They demanded the rescue of six people allegedly kidnapped in Jiribam and protested what they say are “coordinated attacks” on civilians in the region. region.
The shutdown began at 6 p.m. and will last until Wednesday evening, according to the International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), one of the leading civil bodies in the protest.
The kidnapped individuals, reportedly members of the same family, were reportedly taken in Jiribam, while unconfirmed images allegedly showing them in captivity circulated on social media. Manipur Police confirmed that a search operation is underway but stated that the authenticity of the footage has not been verified.
“We demand the immediate rescue of the six kidnapped people,” IPSA said. “Kuki militants attack defenseless Meitei people without consequences. There is no rule of law in the state and the government has failed to protect citizens from coordinated attacks by militants in Koutruk, Senjam Chirang and Kadangband.
Civil society groups supporting the closure include the All Clubs Organizations Association and Meira Paibi Lup (ACOAM Lup), the Indigenous People’s Association of Kangleipak ​​​​(IPAK) and the Kangleipak ​​​​Students’ Association (KSA).
The recent spike in violence in Manipur includes a gunfight on Monday at Borobekra police station and a nearby CRPF camp. Manipur police said 10 militants were killed after security forces retaliated, while a senior government official pegged the toll at 11.
At the time, approximately one hundred displaced persons were staying on the grounds of the police station, where a reception camp is also located. After the attack, two elderly residents were found dead, while three others were rescued. Three women and three children are still missing.
In the wake of the violence, fresh clashes broke out at several locations in the Imphal Valley on Tuesday with armed groups from both sides exchanging fire, police said.
Jiribam’s Meitei group Jiri Apunba Lup called on authorities to act quickly to rescue the six missing persons. The Jiribam United Committee similarly urged officials to ensure the safety and immediate return of the abductees, condemning the deaths of the two elderly residents and expressing deep concern over the ongoing violence.
The Manipur Integrity Coordination Committee (COCOMI), another prominent Meitei group, also demanded urgent action to bring back the six persons, blaming the incident on what they said was negligence on the part of both the state and central security forces .
Congress MP from Inner Manipur Bimol Akoijam took to social media platform X to address Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. “Do whatever you must by all means at your command to ensure their safety and freedom from their armed ‘Kuki’ captors,” Akoijam wrote. “If anything untoward happens to these innocent women and children, you will be solely responsible.”