COCOMI called for immediate military action against the militants and repeal of AFSPA.

Imphal:

Civil society groups in Manipur have issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the state government, demanding decisive action against armed militant groups. Manipur witnessed unrest again on Saturday night after a mob tried to break in residence of Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

Security forces fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, which gathered in anger following the discovery of six missing bodies in Jiribam district. A child and two women were among the dead, fueling public outrage over the government’s alleged inaction and lack of communication.

The bodies, including that of an eight-month-old baby, were recovered from the Barak River in Jiribam. These individuals had been missing since Monday following violent clashes in which 10 armed Kuki men were killed in a gun battle with security forces.

“All state representatives and all MPs should stand together and take decisive action to resolve this crisis as soon as possible,” said Khuraijam Athouba, spokesperson for the Coordination Committee for Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a Meitei group for civil rights. “If they do not take any decision to the satisfaction of the people of Manipur, then they will bear the brunt of people’s dissatisfaction. We have given a 24-hour ultimatum for the Government of India and the Government of Manipur to take some decisive action and military crackdown against all armed groups”.

The imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in six police station areas has also been criticized. Civil society groups say the law, which gives sweeping powers to security forces, has only deepened distrust and anger among the local population.

COCOMI called for immediate military action against the militants and repeal of AFSPA. Spokesman Athouba warned of severe public backlash if their demands were not met within 24 hours.

Protesters attacked the homes of three state ministers and six deputies on Saturday. Among the targets was Chief Minister Singh’s son-in-law, BJP MP RK Imo Singh. The protesters vandalized the MLA’s house and set fire to his property. Similar attacks were reported at the homes of Municipal Administration Minister Y Khemchand and Consumer Affairs Minister L Susindro Singh, with security forces resorting to tear gas to quell the crowds.

The residence of Health and Family Welfare Minister Sapam Ranjan was also besieged. A representative of the Lamphel Sanakeithel Development Authority said Ranjan had assured the protesters that he would raise their demands in a cabinet meeting and even resign if the government did not act decisively.

In response to the escalation of violence, the state government imposed indefinite shutdowns in five districts, including Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Kakching. Internet services were suspended in seven districts as authorities scrambled to contain the situation.

Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi ordered the suspension of internet and mobile data services, citing the potential for misinformation and further escalation of violence.

The ongoing clashes between the Meitei community and nearly two dozen tribes known collectively as Kukis — a term introduced during British colonial rule — have claimed more than 220 lives and displaced nearly 50,000 people in Manipur.

The Meites, classified as a general category group, are seeking inclusion under the Scheduled Tribes category, while the Kukis, who share ethnic ties with Myanmar’s Chin State and Mizoram, are advocating for a separate administration consisting of Manipur.