Fresh Violence Erupts in Manipur’s Jiribam District Amid Ongoing Unrest

Jiribam, Manipur – The northeastern state of Manipur continues to grapple with violence as fresh unrest broke out early on Saturday morning in the Jiribam district. Militants launched a surprise attack on a village near the Borobekra police station around 5 a.m., escalating tensions in the already volatile region.

Reports indicate that the militants, armed with sophisticated weapons and bombs, targeted the village located approximately 30 km from Jiribam town. In response, security forces, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and local police units, engaged in a heavy exchange of gunfire with the attackers. Additional reinforcements were quickly dispatched to the scene. While no casualties have been reported so far, the situation remains highly tense, with security forces on high alert.

The attack occurred as security personnel were in the process of evacuating vulnerable civilians, including elderly people, women, and children, to safer locations. The village’s proximity to dense forests and hilly terrain has made it particularly susceptible to militant activities.

This violent incident follows closely on the heels of peace talks held in New Delhi between members of the warring Meitei and Kuki communities. The talks, which took place earlier this week, included around 20 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from the Meitei, Kuki, and Naga communities. It was an attempt to resolve the ethnic violence that has plagued the state since May 2023.

In a related event, two militants were arrested on Friday night in Imphal East district. The individuals, identified as Mutum Inao Singh and Khwairakpam Rajen Singh, are alleged members of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group). They were taken into custody from the Pureiromba Khongnangkhong area.

The recent surge in violence underscores the fragile state of peace in Manipur, despite the efforts to bridge divides between conflicting ethnic groups. The peace talks held on October 15 marked a significant moment, as it was the first time in 17 months that MLAs from the Meitei, Kuki, and Naga communities gathered to discuss the path forward.

Prominent figures in the discussions included Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, Meitei MLAs Tongbram Robindro and Th Basantakumar Singh, Kuki ministers Letpao Haokip and Nemcha Kipgen, and Naga MLAs Ram Muivah, Awangbow Newmai, and L Dikho.

Despite these efforts for peace, the ongoing violence serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that remain in achieving lasting stability in the state.