June 8th 2024.
The situation in Manipur's Jiribam district has taken a turn for the worse as tensions have risen due to recent events. Suspected militants have caused chaos by setting fire to two police outposts, a forest office, and over 70 houses. In response, the authorities have taken action by transferring the superintendent of police and airlifting a contingent of over 70 state police commandos from Imphal to assist in security operations.
To ensure the safety of the residents, around 239 Meitei people, mostly women and children, have been evacuated from the peripheral areas of Jiribam and moved to a relief camp set up at a multi-sports complex in the district. According to a senior officer, the affected villages include Lamtai Khunou, Dibong Khunou, Nunkhal, and Begra. The villagers have been forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in the relief camp.
The superintendent of police's transfer order was issued promptly after the police outposts of Jiri Mukh and Choto Bekra, along with the Goakhal forest beat office, were set ablaze. The state government has transferred Jiribam SP A Ghanashyam Sharma to the Manipur Police Training College, while M Pradip Singh, who was serving as the additional director of the college, will now take charge as the senior superintendent of police of Jiribam district.
The newly elected Congress MP from the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat, Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, has urged the state government to take necessary measures to protect the lives and properties of the people of Jiribam district. Akoijam has also spoken to district officials and expressed concern over the lack of security provided to those living in the peripheral areas.
The recent outbreak of violence in Jiribam began on Thursday evening when a 59-year-old man, Soibam Saratkumar Singh, was killed by suspected militants. He had gone missing on June 6 and his body was later found with injuries caused by a sharp object. As a result, prohibitory orders were imposed in the area and locals staged a protest demanding the return of their licensed firearms, which were taken from them during the elections.
Jiribam, known for its diverse ethnic composition of Meiteis, Muslims, Nagas, Kukis, and non-Manipuris, has been spared from the ethnic conflict that has been ongoing in Manipur for the past year. This conflict between the Imphal valley-based Meiteis and the hills-based Kukis has resulted in the loss of over 200 lives and left thousands homeless. It is crucial for the state government to take swift action in order to restore peace and protect the innocent residents of Jiribam.
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