New Delhi: In light of continued violence in Manipur, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the strife-torn state and work towards restoring peace and healing.
Gandhi expressed alarm over the “recent string of violence and continuing bloodshed” in Manipur, labeling the situation as “deeply disturbing.” In a post on X, he noted, “After more than a year of division and suffering, every Indian hoped that the Central and state governments would have made every effort at reconciliation and found a solution.” He reiterated his plea for the PM to engage directly with the situation in Manipur.
The recent string of violent clashes and continuing bloodshed in Manipur is deeply disturbing.
After more than a year of division and suffering, it was the hope of every Indian that the Central and State governments would have made every effort at reconciliation and found a…
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 16, 2024
The authorities have reinstated a curfew in Imphal West District starting from Saturday due to the deteriorating law and order conditions. This follows a brief relaxation of the curfew, which had been in effect from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. on November 16 but was canceled the same day at 4:30 p.m. Essential services, including healthcare, are exempt from this curfew.
Tensions escalated after mobs targeted the homes of several ministers and MLAs from the ruling BJP, sparked by the recovery of bodies of six missing women and children in Jiribam district. The attacks involved significant protests outside the residences of various political figures in both Imphal East and West districts, mainly focused on ministers and the Chief Minister’s son-in-law.
The unrest surged earlier this week when women vendors protested following allegations of abduction and the discovery of bodies, though it remains unconfirmed if they belong to the missing individuals.
To address the escalating violence, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, across six police stations in five districts of Manipur until March 31, 2025. This decision aims to facilitate coordinated operations by security forces in the ethnically volatile state. The act will be in effect in the jurisdictions of Sekmai, Lamsang, Lamlai, Jiribam, Leimakhong, and Moirang police stations across Imphal West, Imphal East, Jiribam, Kangpokpi, and Bishnupur districts after a comprehensive review of the security situation with relevant stakeholders.