Manipur Violence News Highlights: CBI team in Manipur amid disquiet over killing of two Meitei teens

CBI team has reached Manipur to help probe into killing of two youths, CM N Biren Singh said, reported PTI.

Manipur government extended the contentious Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in hill areas of state for 6 months beginning October 1. This area excludes 19 police stations of valley, PTI quoted an official notification as saying.

Avvording to social scientists, a long history of invasions, plunder, and loss of identity — including as a result of assimilation with the outside world — of the Meitei, originally subjects of the thousands-of-years-old Manipuri kingdom, cannot be uncoupled from the recent incidents in the state.

The Cheitharol Kumbaba, royal chronicles of Manipur that are the primary source of information on its early rulers, trace the origin of the Meitei kingdom of Kangleipak to 33 AD. The Meiteis are divided into seven Salai or clans — Mangang, Luwang, Khuman, Angom, Moirang Kha, Ngangba, and Sarang Leishangthem. Read here to know more

Comgress leader Priyanka Gandhi said children are most vulnerable victims of ethnic violence: "Children are the most vulnerable victims of ethnic violence. It is our duty to do all we can to protect them. The horrific crimes being committed in Manipur are beyond words, yet they are being allowed to continue unabated. The central government should be ashamed of its inaction."

More shocking news from Manipur. Children are the most vulnerable victims of ethnic violence. It is our duty to do all we can to protect them. The horrific crimes being committed in Manipur are beyond words, yet they are being allowed to continue unabated. The central government…

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) September 26, 2023

Association of Meiteis in the Americas have issued a statement in solidarity with the people of Manipur. In the statement, they have urged the state and the Central government to pressurise the 'armed militants' to ‘return’ the bodies of the students.

AMA stands in deep sorrow and condemnation of the horrific and senseless killing of two innocent students, a minor, Hijam Linthoingambi and Phijam Hemjit, in Manipur. We also condemn the killing of students Irengbam Chingkheinganba and his cousin Sagolshem Ngaleiba.

We urge the… pic.twitter.com/LBF65mErDz

— Association of Meiteis in the Americas (@MeiteiAMA) September 26, 2023

On May 3, the Kuki community protested against Meitei’s long-standing demand that the latter be included in the list of the state’s Scheduled Tribes (ST), which received a boost following an order of the Manipur High Court. One of the reasons cited for the opposition is the dominance of the Meiteis, both in population and in political representation – Meitei and Meitei Pangals constitute roughly 64.6% of the state’s population.

For other recognised tribes, an ST status to Meitei would hence mean losing job opportunities, land rights and other perks to a much-advanced community. Read our explained here

The situation in Imphal remained calm yet tense in Singjamei area Wednesday morning after a clash between students and Rapid Action Force (RAF) left 45 protesters injured the previous night, news agency PTI reported.

According to PTI, Manipur Police, CRPF and RAF personnel have been deployed throughout Imphal Valley as possibility of protests and violence looms over the area.

Amid growing uproar over the killing of two teenagers in Manipur, 11-year-old climate activist Licypriya Kangujam, who hails from the northeastern state, took to X demanding justice. 'Manipur doesn't deserve the way you treat,' she wrote, adding that, 'Sacrificing the lives of the children for the failures of you is unacceptable at any cost.'

Dear Mr. @narendramodi ji,
This is my urgent message to you. Manipur doesn't deserve the way you treat. Your silence is not the solution. We're ready to sacrifice more lives for Peace.

Sacrificing the lives of the children for the failures of you is unacceptable at any cost.… pic.twitter.com/MmIT97fvP4

— Licypriya Kangujam (@LicypriyaK) September 27, 2023

Congress national president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge echoed Chidambaram, stating that its "high time Prime Minister Narendra Modi sacks BJP's incompetent Manipur chief minister: "The beautiful state of Manipur has been turned into a battlefield, all because of the BJP!" he wrote on X.

For 147 days, people of Manipur are suffering, but PM Modi does not have time to visit the state.

The horrific images of students being targeted in this violence has once again shocked the entire nation.

It is now apparent that violence against women and children was weaponised…

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) September 27, 2023

It’s been nearly five months since the first clashes broke out in Manipur during a tribal solidarity march in the areas bordering Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts on May 3. Intermittent violence — emerging from an ethnic conflict between Meitei and Kuki communities — has continued to keep the state on the boil till now, claiming over 175 lives and injuring more than 1,000.

Tens of thousands have fled their homes, and some have taken shelter in government-run camps. According to data presented by Inspector General of Police (Operation) I K Muivah earlier this month, over 5,000 cases of arson have been reported, which included more than 4,700 houses that were torched. Muivah said 386 religious structures have been vandalised through arson, of which 254 were churches and 132 were temples. Read how Meitei-Kuki conflict has kept Manipur on the boil

Congress leader P Chidambaram expressed concerns over the Manipur situation turning 'bad to worse'. 

Taking to X, Chidambaram said: 'No section of the people has confidence in the BJP state government or the Chief Minister. In fact, the CM is the problem because of his incompetence and bias.'

The situation has gone from bad to worse in Manipur

No section of the people has confidence in the BJP state government or the Chief Minister

In fact, the CM is the problem because of his incompetence and bias

The first step toward restoring normalcy in Manipur is to remove…

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) September 26, 2023

Reacting to the unrest in Manipur, Congress MP trained his guns on Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that "he has simply abandoned the people there".

"The Prime Minister is roaming around different states leaving behind his trademark trail of lies, abuses and insults. Why he cannot find a day to visit Manipur is simply beyond any understanding," he wrote on X.

The Prime Minister is roaming around different states leaving behind his trademark trail of lies, abuses and insults. Why he cannot find a day to visit Manipur is simply beyond any understanding.

Today again internet services have been suspended for 5 days in Manipur. A…

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) September 26, 2023

Imphal residents Hijam Linthoingami (17) and Phijam Hemjit (20) went missing on July 6. After months of waiting with dread, their parents’ worst nightmare came true when two photographs emerged confirming that they had been killed, a development which prompted the state government to announce that “swift and decisive” action will be taken against the perpetrators.

The deaths led to fresh protests by Meiteis in the valley areas of strife-torn Manipur on Tuesday, and mobile internet services, which had been restored just days ago after nearly five months, were snapped once again in the evening. A Home Department order said the mobile internet services would remain shut for the next five days. Read more