A group of people in Manipur has strongly disagreed with a decision made by the state government, which is led by Chief Minister Biren Singh. The government made this decision after recent violence in which three women and three children were killed in the Jiribam district. This violence has caused a lot of anger and protests, and the situation is getting worse in the region.

24-hour ultimatum issued

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity, a group of citizens, has given the state government 24 hours to reconsider its decision. The group said that the people of Manipur are not happy with how the government is handling the situation. The government had decided to launch a big operation against the militants responsible for the killings in a meeting with 27 lawmakers. But the committee feels this action is not enough and has criticised the government for not dealing with the bigger problem of ongoing violence in the state since May 2023.

Spokesperson Khuraijam Athouba stated, "People of Manipur are not satisfied with the resolutions. The crime has not only happened in Jiribam but in several other places of Manipur since May 2023." The committee has asked the government to take responsibility for all the groups involved in the violence and take action against them. They also gave the government a three-point plan to stop the violence, which includes banning the militant groups that were involved in the recent attacks.

The violence in Manipur has caused more protests, with angry mobs attacking the homes of politicians. After the killings, protestors set fire to the houses of three BJP lawmakers, including a senior minister, and one Congress MLA. These attacks happened in different areas of Imphal Valley, where a curfew has been placed. Protestors also targeted the home of Chief Minister Biren Singh, leading the government to increase security and shut down the internet to stop further protests.

Coffin protest in Churachandpur

In Churachandpur district, a march was held with empty coffins to demand justice for those killed in a gunfight with security forces in Jiribam. Hundreds of people joined the rally, which was organised by the Joint Philanthropic Organisation (JPO), starting at 11 a.m. The marchers carried signs asking for justice and for a separate administration in the hilly areas of the state. The march ended at the "Wall of Remembrance," a memorial for the Kuki people who have died in the ongoing ethnic violence since May 2023.

Response of State Government

The NDA lawmakers in Manipur have asked the central government to review the decision to impose the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the state. They also want the government to quickly hand over the cases related to the killings in Jiribam, as well as other recent deaths, to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for a thorough investigation.

Furthermore, the ruling lawmakers have demanded that the groups responsible for the deaths be declared "unlawful" within seven days. They have warned that if these actions are not taken within the specified time, they will ask the public for their opinion on what should be done next.