NEW DELHI: Despite slight lull in violence in Manipur, the suspension of Internet was extended for another three days till November 23 in seven districts, even as curfew was relaxed for five hours in three districts. Exemptions were granted only for government offices and specific cases approved by the state government.
Meanwhile, the Manipur Police detained five persons during search operations in hill and valley districts.
In a display of rare empathy, a Kuki group called Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) in a statement condemned all kinds of violence against all communities, including the killing of six members of a Meitei family and sought to know why violence escalates in the state whenever CM Biren Singh’s matters come up for hearing in the Supreme Court.
Taragi Cheisu, a unified Meitei foundation, also condemned the Jiribam killings, labelling it a gross violation of International Humanitarian Laws (IHL) and Indian law. Cheisu also denounced the killing of a Hmar woman in Jiribam on November 7, calling for justice for all victims, regardless of their community.
It was referring to the killing of six members of a family, who were residing in a relief camp in Jiribam, and also to the encounter on November 11 between the CRPF and suspected militants, which had led to the death of 10 suspected extremists.
Cheisu also criticised the Centre for its silence on the atrocities and its failure to protect civilians. The reimposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in six police station areas, including Jakuradhor, also drew a sharp rebuke from the body.
Cheisu highlighted that AFSPA failed to prevent the massacre despite its presence in the region.
On the political front, just days after the National People’s Party (NPP) withdrew its support from the N Biren Singh government in Manipur, the BJP has dared the erstwhile alliance partner to end their partnership in Meghalaya. The BJP accused the NPP of staying in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) only to secure central funds.
Meghalaya BJP vice-president Bernard N Marak, while speaking to an online portal, said the NPP “cannot afford” to detach itself from the BJP due to “rising debts” of the state government, led by Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma. The NPP, which has 31 MLAs in the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly, leads the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) in the state. The BJP, which has two MLAs, is a constituent of the NDA. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had backed the two candidates fielded by the NPP in Meghalaya.
Earlier the NPP on November 17, had withdrawn support from the BJP government in Manipur. On November 18, Sangma said the withdrawal of support was specific to his counterpart N Biren Singh.
Sangma had told the media, “We have withdrawn our support to the Biren Singh-led government, so it is very specific to him. If we see that there is a change in leadership, a positive step forward and a plan to find a solution and we can constructively cooperate and contribute so that peace and normalcy return, then we will be happy to be working (with BJP) but we will see the situation.”
He added that the NPP was supporting the government hoping that the situation would improve but in the last week, the situation further deteriorated.