Authorities have imposed a curfew in Manipur’s Jiribam district following the discovery of the mutilated body of a 59-year-old Meitei man on a hillside in Mulargaon. The incident has sparked widespread panic in Jiribam and surrounding areas, reigniting longstanding hostilities. In response, several settlements belonging to the Kuki-Zo community in the district were set on fire.

Residents reported that a mob stormed the Jiribam police station on Thursday, demanding the return of their licensed guns, which they had surrendered during the election process.

The incident occurred just two days after the Congress secured victory in both Lok Sabha seats in Manipur on Tuesday. This win comes amid a deadly ethnic conflict that has resulted in hundreds of deaths and displaced tens of thousands over the past 13 months.

The deceased has been identified as Soibam Saratkumar Singh from Sorok Atingbi Khunou locality in Jiribam.

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

Luikham Lanmiyo, the superintendent of police in Tamenglong, stated on Friday morning that adequate security measures are in place in areas bordering Jiribam district, which shares a border with Cachar district in Assam. "We are keeping a close vigil on the movement of any persons crossing from Jiribam to Tamenglong," Lanmiyo said. Police sources reported that Soibam Saratkumar was allegedly abducted by "unknown miscreants" while returning from his farm. Upon learning of Saratkumar's disappearance, the Jiribam district police launched a search operation and discovered his body near a hillside.

Although the family had not filed a formal police complaint, they had verbally informed the police about the incident. Following the recovery of Saratkumar’s body, the police registered a case.

The Young Kuki Civil Society Organisation (CSO) condemned the killing and the "cowardly attacks" on both Kuki and Meitei civilians. They noted that the attacks on Kuki settlements in Jiribam occurred despite the identity of Saratkumar's killers remaining unknown.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, the CSO urged people to adhere to the Jiribam Peace Pact among the Kuki, Naga, and Meitei communities in the district.

Soibam Romola Devi, the wife of the deceased, told the media that the family, including her husband and son, were returning from the farm when they noticed a few individuals moving suspiciously. According to Romola, she and her son hurried home, but her husband, Soibam Saratkumar, was left behind. When her son went back to look for his father, he found his two-wheeler and a pair of slippers on the roadside.

The Young Kuki Civil Society Organisation (CSO) stated that Saratkumar's killing is the second such incident in Jiribam. They highlighted that the mutilated body of a Kuki youth, Seigoulen Singson, was found near Moljol village. Singson had been missing since 14 May, and his body was recovered two days later.

The CSO emphasised that it is unacceptable for Kukis to be targeted for the death of a Meitei. They called for a fair investigation and the prompt arrest of the culprits.

Image source: ANI