Manipur: Hundreds of people in different areas of Imphal Valley protested on Saturday, November 16, as three bodies were found in the Jiribam district. The locals suspect the bodies could be of any of the six people who went missing recently.
According to police, the protestors – mostly women – blocked main roads in the Kwakeithel area in Imphal West district as well as Imphal West district’s Sagolband Tera by burning tyres to prevent vehicular movement.
At the Khwairamband market of Manipur, several women vendors held a protest rally against the killing while huge security forces were deployed in Imphal.
Several business establishments and markets in the area were closed down after the news of the recovery of three bodies spread. At Ningthoukhong in Bishnupur district and Imphal East district’s Lamlong, locals came out on the streets to protest against the killing, PTI reported.
The Manipur government had earlier declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in the state on Saturday.
Officials on Saturday informed that three bodies of a woman and two children were found near the confluence of the Jiri River and Barak River along the Manipur-Assam border on Friday night. They are suspected to be of six persons, who are missing from Jiribam district.
Nishikant Sapam’s residence vandalised
The residence of Keishamthong MLA Nishikant Sapam was vandalised by a mob after the discovery of three bodies.
Similar protests broke out in Khurai, Konthoujam as well as Sagolband constituencies, while residents have expressed dissatisfaction over the perceived ‘inaction’ of leaders amid the escalating ethnic tensions in the region. The authorities are on high alert as the situation unfolds.
