Guwahati: With the recovery of more bodies from near Manipur’s Jiribam district since Saturday, the death toll in the latest wave of violence that flared up last week has reached 20, which includes casualties on both sides of the Kuki-Meitei conflict.
Late Saturday evening, the decomposed body of a 27-year-old was recovered in Jiribam. Locals from the Kuki-Zo community identified the deceased as Haojoel Doungel from Pangmol village in Tousem sub-division of Manipur’s Tamenglong district.
The same day, the body of a woman was found floating in the river along the state’s border with Assam. Police suspect the deceased to be among the six members of a Meitei family reported missing earlier this week from Jiribam’s Borobekra relief camp housing internally displaced persons.
Local residents in Jiribam also reportedly spotted the decayed body of a minor floating in the river Sunday morning, believed to belong to the same family. Later in the day, the body was brought to Assam’s Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) for post mortem, police said.
Speaking to ThePrint, Superintendent of Police in Cachar, Numal Mahatta, said that as of Sunday, six bodies including those of children are currently at the SMCH in Cachar district.
On Saturday, Assam Director General of Police G.P. Singh had said that the identities of the deceased could be best established by the Manipur Police.
Among the six missing individuals from the relief camp were Yurembham Rani Devi (61), her daughter Telam Thoibi Devi (31) and her eight-year-old daughter, Yurembham’s other daughter Laishram Heitombi Devi (25) and her two sons—an infant aged eight months and a toddler, a little over two.
Earlier, Friday, three bodies—those of a woman and two children believed to be members of the missing family—were recovered at the confluence of Jiri and Barak rivers. While the bodies are yet to be officially identified, five are believed to be from the same family, with one member still missing. Security sources said the victims were presumably killed after being allegedly whisked away by armed men from the relief camp six days ago.
On 11 November, following reports of attacks on houses and shops in Jakuradhor Karong area by armed men, and subsequent targeted attacks at the CRPF post in the area and Borobekra police station, 10 suspected Kuki-Zo ‘militants’ were killed in “retaliatory attack” by security forces. After completion of post mortem procedures at the SMCH Saturday, the 10 bodies were airlifted by the Manipur government to Churachandpur for final rites.
After the attack on 11 November, at least 13 shelter inmates in Jiribam were found missing, of which three were rescued by the police and the Assam Rifles.
Upon further search operations at Jakuradhor village, which was burnt down, two bodies of Meitei men were recovered. They were identified as senior citizens who had been staying at the relief camp.
The violence and bloodbath in Jiribam erupted after a 31-year-old woman was killed by a gang of armed assailants on 7 November. A teacher and a mother of three, she was allegedly raped and burnt to death at their residence in Jairolpokpi (Zairawn), a Hmar-dominated village.
Meanwhile, the situation continues to be tense in capital Imphal after irate mobs targeted houses and properties of MLAs and ministers Saturday evening, expressing their outrage over the ongoing crisis and the government’s failure to secure the lives of the six Meitei family members. Manipur police Sunday arrested 23 persons who were part of the mob involved in ransacking and arson. Police have recovered a .32 pistol, several rounds of SBBL, and eight mobile phones from their possession, according to a statement.
On 16.11.2024, irate mobs have targeted various houses and properties of public representatives including Ministers and MLAs of the State in Imphal. Police have resorted to firing tear gas shells etc. to disperse the mob. Security forces including Army and Assam Rifles have been…
— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) November 17, 2024
Police had resorted to firing tear gas shells to disperse the crowd that led to eight persons sustaining injuries. The state government Saturday imposed a total curfew in Imphal and adjoining areas, while also suspending internet and mobile data services for two days in valley and hill districts. Also, more troops were rushed to strengthen the security apparatus in the state capital where flag marches are being conducted to restore and maintain order.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)