Protester Killed in Manipur Police Firing, Sparking Outrage in Manipur and Assam
GUWAHATI: A tragic incident unfolded in Manipur on Sunday night, when a protester was killed in police firing during a demonstration in Jiribam. The incident has sparked widespread outrage in both Manipur and Assam, as tensions in the region continue to escalate. Following the fatality, the Manipur government acted swiftly, suspending a senior police officer, retired Army officer Nectar Sanjenbam, who led the operation. Sanjenbam, a Kirti Chakra awardee and currently serving as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for Combat Operations, was overseeing the commandos involved in the incident.
The deceased protester, 23-year-old Khundrakpam Athouba Singh, was fatally shot during a confrontation with commandos under SSP Sanjenbam’s command. Another protester, Keisam Benson, was injured in the firing and is being treated at a hospital in Silchar, Assam. The protests were in response to the alleged abduction and murder of three Meitei women and three children, who have been missing since November 11. These tragic disappearances have further intensified the already volatile situation in the Meitei-majority areas of Manipur, particularly in Jiribam and nearby Silchar in Assam’s Cachar district.
The unrest in the region has been exacerbated by the recent deaths of 10 suspected Hmar militants, who were killed in a CRPF operation in Jiribam last week, further stoking tensions between various ethnic groups in the state.
Government Response and Continued Unrest
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Manipur government imposed additional measures to curb the violence, extending internet restrictions in seven districts — Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur — for an additional two days. An indefinite curfew is also in effect across the valley districts following reports of arson attacks targeting the homes of local Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). The state government has ordered a high-level inquiry into the firing incident, which will be led by K. Kabib, the Inspector General of Police (Intelligence).
Nectar Sanjenbam, who had only been inducted into the Manipur Police in 2023 to oversee commando operations amid rising ethnic violence, was suspended immediately following the incident. Sanjenbam, a former Army officer with a distinguished career in the Special Forces, was part of the 2015 cross-border strike in Myanmar. Despite his previous experience and accolades, the Manipur government has taken decisive action due to the severity of the situation.
Protests and Public Outcry
The death of Khundrakpam Athouba Singh has fueled even more intense protests throughout Manipur. The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a civil forum representing the Meitei community, has led large-scale demonstrations. Protesters defied the curfew, staging sit-ins at several government offices, including the chief electoral officer’s office and GST Bhawan in Imphal, blocking entrances and demanding justice for the victim.
Additionally, residents of Imphal took to the streets, including a sit-in at the city’s bustling Khwairamband market, to demand a more aggressive response to the ongoing violence, specifically calling for military action against militant groups such as the “Kuki Zo Hmar” factions. Students and civilians organized protests at Manipur University, condemning the police firing and calling for a fair investigation into the deaths of protesters and the missing Meitei civilians.
Escalating Ethnic Tensions and the Struggle for Peace
The continuing ethnic violence in Manipur, particularly between the Meitei and Kuki communities, has highlighted deep-rooted divisions within the state. Tensions have been exacerbated by historical grievances, competition over resources, and differing political agendas. The tragic death of Khundrakpam Athouba Singh and the resulting protests underscore the growing frustrations among the Meitei community and the broader public with the government’s handling of the crisis.
The government faces mounting pressure to restore peace and order in the state, and many political and civil leaders are calling for a more comprehensive approach to address the underlying causes of the violence. Without a concerted effort to foster dialogue and reconciliation between the ethnic groups, it is feared that the situation could spiral into further violence, destabilizing not only Manipur but also neighboring Assam.
As the protests continue and calls for justice grow louder, the government’s next steps will be crucial in determining whether peace can be restored or whether the region will descend further into conflict. The ongoing turmoil in Manipur is a stark reminder of the complex ethnic dynamics at play in India’s northeastern states and the need for sensitive, long-term solutions to bridge the divides.
