Manipur news: As tensions flared in Manipur once again, a protester was killed in firing during a clash between security forces and a mob that was vandalising properties in Manipur’s Jiribam district.
According to the Manipur Police, one person was killed in firing but it was not immediately clear who opened fire, while eyewitnesses claimed the firing came from the direction of the security forces, PTI reported.
The incident took place late on Sunday night when protesters were vandalising properties at Babupara in thr Jiribam police station area to protest against the killing of women and children abducted by militants.
The deceased has been identified as K Athouba, who was in his twenties, police said, PTI reported.
In addition to this, the offices of the Congress and BJP, and a house belonging to Jiribam’s Independent MLA were ransacked by a group of agitators. They brought furniture, paper and other things out of the properties and made a bonfire out of them in front of the buildings, officials said.
Meanwhile, security forces also foiled the attempt of the agitators to storm the ancestral residence of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday evening.
NPP withdraws support
The National People’s Party (NPP), which has seven MLAs in the 60-member Manipur Assembly, on Sunday withdrew support from the BJP-led government, claiming that the N Biren Singh dispensation has “completely failed to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy” in the northeastern state.
The withdrawal of support, however, would not have any impact on the BJP government, as the saffron party enjoys a majority with its 32 MLAs. The saffron camp has also the support of five MLAs of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) and six JD(U) legislators.
Also Read: Unrest in Manipur: Mob attempts to storm CM Biren Singh’s residence, attacks BJP leaders’ homes over Jiribam violence
Manipur back on the edge
Manipur has seen a fresh wave of protests after six people went missing from a camp for displaced persons in Jiribam on Monday, following a gunfight between armed men and security forces that resulted in the deaths of 10 Kuki youths.
On Sunday, the bodies of two persons, believed to be among the six missing people from Jiribam, were found floating in the Barak River in neighbouring Cachar district of Assam.
Two days ago, the bodies of three persons, also from the same group, were found floating in the Jiri River in Jiribam and brought to Silchar Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem examinations.
According to senior police officer officers of Assam, bodies of five missing persons have been found so far.
NIA takes over 3 cases
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has assumed responsibility for investigating three key cases linked to recent violence in Manipur, resulting in loss of lives and widespread disruption of public order, ANI reported.
The agency took over these cases from Manipur Police following a recent directive issued by Ministry of Home Affairs as the violent activities linked to the three cases had caused incidents escalating over recent months in the hilly state leading to fatalities and significant social unrest.
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Manipur unrest
More than 220 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May last year.
The ethnically diverse Jiribam, which was largely untouched by the clashes in Imphal Valley and the adjoining hills, witnessed violence after the mutilated body of a farmer was found in a field in June this year.
(With inputs from agencies)