Imphal: Terming the recent string of violent clashes and continuing bloodshed in Manipur “deeply disturbing”, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the state and work towards restoring peace in the region.
Reiterating his appeal to Prime Minister Modi to take proactive steps toward resolving the crisis, Gandhi said, “I urge the PM once again to visit Manipur and work towards restoring peace and healing in the region.”
A day after the bodies of three out of six missing persons were found floating in the Barak River near Jirimukh along the Manipur-Assam border on Friday night, fresh protests erupted in the Valley districts. Protesters on Saturday attacked the residences of three state ministers and six MLAs.
The victims had reportedly gone missing from a relief camp following a gunfight between security forces and militants in Jiribam district on Monday.
Meanwhile, escalating tensions prompted the Manipur government to clamp prohibitory orders in five districts for an indefinite period, besides suspending internet services in parts of the state.
The districts affected by the internet ban include Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur.
The Centre on Thursday reimposed the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in six police station areas of Manipur, including the violence-hit Jiribam district.
In a notification, the Union Home Ministry stated that the decision to reimpose AFSPA was taken given the continuous volatile situation in the state owing to the ongoing ethnic violence.
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More than 200 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May last year.
