Unrest in Manipur: Youth Gunned Down in Imphal West and Mob Attacked and Burnt CRPF Bus in Kangpokpi Amid Tensions
Manipur is facing heightened tensions after a youth was gunned down and a CRPF bus was torched by mobs, prompting increased security measures and curfews. The government is taking steps to prevent further violence.
In recent incidents highlighting the escalating tensions in Manipur, a youth was gunned down by unidentified assailants in the Imphal West district, and a bus carrying Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel was stopped and torched by a mob in the Kangpokpi district. These events have raised concerns about the stability and safety in the region.
Incident Details
Youth Gunned Down in Imphal West
On Tuesday, a youth was found dead in the Meijao Mamang Leikai area of Imphal West district. According to a police official, the victim had a bullet wound on the back of the head. The identity of the assailants remains unknown, and the police are currently investigating the incident. This murder has further aggravated the already tense atmosphere in the region.
CRPF Bus Torched in Kangpokpi
In a separate incident, on Monday night, a bus carrying CRPF personnel was stopped by a 200-strong mob, including women, at Kangpokpi Bazaar in Kangpokpi district. The mob blocked the road and subsequently torched the bus. Fortunately, no one was injured in this attack. A case has been registered against unknown individuals involved in this act of arson.
Reinforcements and Security Measures
In response to these incidents, reinforcements of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), including CRPF and Border Security Force (BSF), have been deployed to Manipur. These forces are returning from election duties in various parts of the country and are now focusing on stabilizing the situation in the state.
Curfew Relaxation in Jiribam
In Jiribam district, which borders southern Assam, the situation has shown slight improvement. The district administration has relaxed the indefinite curfew for four and a half hours from 9 a.m. on Wednesday. The curfew was initially imposed following the killing of 59-year-old farmer Soibam Saratkumar Singh on June 6. The murder led to a mass displacement of around 900 tribals from the Kuki and Hmar communities, who sought refuge with relatives and friends in the Cachar district of southern Assam. Meanwhile, approximately 1,000 people, mostly from the Meitei community, are sheltered in seven relief camps in Jiribam.
Government Response
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting in New Delhi on Monday to review the security situation in Manipur. Shah directed officials to ensure that no further incidents of violence occur in the northeastern state. The government is working to restore peace and stability, but the recent events underscore the challenges in achieving this goal.
Conclusion
The recent incidents in Manipur, including the murder of a youth and the torching of a CRPF bus, highlight the ongoing unrest in the region. With reinforcements arriving and government efforts to stabilize the situation, the hope is to restore peace and prevent further violence.
