Manipur: Section 144 imposed in Jiribam after police recover mutilated body, houses burnt down

Digital Desk: A curfew has been imposed in Manipur's Jiribam district after the discovery of the mutilated body of a 59-year-old Meitei man, from a hillside in Mulargaon on Thursday evening. This incident has reignited long-standing ethnic hostilities, leading to widespread panic and violence in Jiribam and its neighboring areas.

The deceased, identified as Soibam Saratkumar Singh from Sorok Atingbi Khunou locality, was reportedly picked up by unknown miscreants while returning from his farm. According to his wife, Soibam Romola Devi, she and her son noticed suspicious activity while returning home, which prompted them to hurry back, leaving Saratkumar behind. Later, his son found Saratkumar’s two-wheeler and slippers on the roadside, prompting a search that led to the discovery of his body.

This brutal incident has led to a surge of panic among the residents, with several settlements of the Kuki-Zo community being set on fire in retaliation. The violent outburst also saw a mob storm the Jiribam police station, demanding the return of their licensed firearms, which had been surrendered during the election process.

In response to the violence, the district administrations of Jiribam and neighboring Tamenglong have imposed prohibitory measures under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). These measures restrict the movement of individuals outside their residences until further notice. Additionally, a police control room has been established to manage the situation.

Luikham Lanmiyo, the superintendent of police in Tamenglong, stated that adequate security measures are in place in the border areas. “We are keeping a close vigil on the movement of any persons crossing from Jiribam to Tamenglong,” Lanmiyo assured.

The Young Kuki Civil Society Organisation (CSO) condemned the killing of Saratkumar and the retaliatory attacks on Kuki settlements. In their statement, the CSO emphasized that such attacks are unwarranted, especially since the identity of Saratkumar's killers remains unknown. The organization urged adherence to the Jiribam Peace Pact, which aims to maintain harmony among the Kuki, Naga, and Meitei communities in the district.

The CSO also highlighted that this is the second such incident in Jiribam. They recalled the murder of a Kuki youth, Seigoulen Singson, whose mutilated body was found near Moljol village two days after he went missing on May 14. "It is unacceptable for Kukis to be targeted for the death of a Meitei," the CSO stated, demanding a thorough investigation and swift justice.

The incident comes just two days after the Congress party won both Lok Sabha seats in Manipur, amidst a deadly ethnic conflict that has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced tens of thousands over the past 13 months. This political backdrop adds another layer of complexity to the already volatile situation in Jiribam.

The situation in Jiribam remains tense, with heavy security measures in place and prohibitory orders enforced to prevent further violence. The local authorities and community leaders are calling for calm and urging residents to adhere to peace agreements while the investigation into Saratkumar’s murder continues. The focus now is on maintaining order and ensuring that justice is served to prevent further escalation of the conflict.