Imphal: The combined security forces, including the Army, conducted a flag march in Manipur’s Imphal on Sunday night following widespread protests that erupted after the recovery of six bodies, including children, in violence-hit Jiribam district.
The Army, Assam Rifles, BSF, CRPF, Manipur Police and state Commandos conducted the flag march in the capital city Imphal and its outskirts.
Fresh tensions flared up again in Jiribam on Sunday after a a photo of a woman’s body, recovered from the Barak River, was widely circulated on social media. The body was retrieved by Assam Police in Cachar district, which borders Jiribam.
On Sunday night, angry mobs burnt down the offices of several political parties in Jiribam.
A police official in Imphal said that 25 persons who were part of the mob indulging in ransacking and arson of the houses of ministers and MLAs had been arrested from Imphal East, Imphal West and Bishnupur Districts and some arms and ammunition, mobile phones had been recovered from their possession.
After the news spread about the recovery of six bodies in Jiribam on Saturday, around two dozen houses of ministers, MLAs and political leaders were attacked and vandalised by mobs in several districts, especially in Imphal East and Imphal West districts.
Assam Rifles, the BSF, and state forces, including commandos, fired several rounds of tear gas shells, and rubber bullets on Saturday and Sunday to disperse the protesters, injuring more than 15 people.
Protesters also burnt tyres on the main roads in the capital city and piled up various materials and heavy iron rods to prevent vehicular movement.
The six bodies, which are yet to be identified by the family members, are believed to be of the six women and children missing since November 11 in Jiribam district.
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In response to the developing law and order situation, the administration has imposed an indefinite curfew in Imphal East, West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, and Kakching districts of Imphal Valley.
Mobile internet and data services were also suspended in seven districts for two days, starting from Saturday evening.
