Manipur valley shutdown disrupts normal life after three Meitei men killed in militant attack

Normal life across Manipur's valley districts was severely disrupted on Tuesday due to the ongoing 48-hour shutdown and dharnas called in protest against the killing of three Meitei men on Monday morning while they were out collecting firewood on the border between Imphal East and Kangpokpi.

According to police, suspected armed militants opened fire on about 14 Meitei firewood collectors at Khongbal Tangkhul in Kangpokpi district, in which three died and four others were injured.

Angry residents of the area came to Imphal in a truck with two of the three bodies and placed them in front of the chief minister's bungalow as a mark of protest on Monday. Security personnel removed the bodies and tear-gassed protesters.

Protests, however, continued on Tuesday.

The Native People Committee Manipur (NPCM) called for a 48-hour statewide shutdown, with most markets, educational institutions and business establishments staying shuttered in the Meitei-majority valley districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Kakching, Bishnupur and Thoubal on Tuesday. The NPCM staged roadblocks at multiple locations in the valley, seeking action against militants involved in the attack.

Residents of Uyumpok in Imphal staged dharnas and burnt effigies of chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, deputy chief minister Nemcha Kipgen, home minister Govindas Konthoujam and Rajya Sabha member A. Sharda Devi, seeking their resignation over the worsening law and order.

Manipur Congress president Okram Ibobi Singh led a delegation to meet the chief minister in connection with the prevailing situation and demand an all-party meeting.

The police issued a detailed statement and held a news meet on steps taken to maintain order following Monday's killings. The chief minister chaired a security review and met MLAs of the ruling NDA alliance over the developments.

Manipur police, in close coordination with the CRPF, BSF, Army, Assam Rifles and other sister security agencies, were working to maintain law and order, the police said.

Arrests, murder

Security forces arrested three suspected Kuki-Zo militants from Kangpokpi on Tuesday morning with arms. Additional DGP (law and order) Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo told mediapersons in the evening that two of them admitted to their involvement in Monday’s attack.

A Kuki civilian, Paolenmung Thangeo, 44, was shot dead by unidentified persons in Kangpokpi district on Tuesday when he had gone into the forest to collect bamboo shoots.