Kukis, Meiteis Stage Bandhs Over Jiribam Attack; Search On for 6 Missing Civilians

Imphal: Warring Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups std peaceful bandhs in ir respective areas of influence in Manipur on Tuesday following deaths of at least 10 armed men and two civilians in an attack on a police station and a CRPF camp in Jiribam district, and "abduction" of six civilians.

While Meitei organisations demanded immediate release of civilians, which included women and children, allegedly kidnapped by militants, Kuki-Zo groups alleged that "11 youths of community" were "treacherously murdered in a fake encounter".

Manipur Police said 10 suspected militants were killed in a fierce gunfight with security forces on Monday after insurgents in camoufl uniforms, armed with sophisticated weapons, fired indiscriminately at Borobekra police station and an jacent CRPF camp at Jakurhor in Jiribam district. However, a senior government official put toll at 11.

An uneasy calm prevailed in Jiribam district on Tuesday as police patrolled vulnerable areas amid a rescue operation launched for missing civilians. Police said purported photographs of six missing persons in captivity of militants doing rounds on social media could t be confirmed and rescue operations will continue till y were traced.

Around 100 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were sheltered in a relief camp on police station compound.

Following attack, bodies of two elderly IDPs were recovered and ar three rescued, while six, including three women and children each, remained untraced. Jiri Apunba Lup, apex Meitei body in Jiribam, claimed six missing persons were of same family.

Speaking to reporters at state police hequarters here, IGP (Operations) I K Muivah said, "Ten militants were found de after retaliation by security forces and one CRPF jawan was injured and was evacuated to Assam for treatment. Two elderly civilians were also found de, while three women and three mirs remained missing. Police are trying to trace m." When journalists pointed out that Kuki-Zo bodies claimed that slain militants were "vill volunteers", Muivah said, "We have seized sophisticated firearms from spot. This shows very clearly that y were armed militants." IGP (ministration) K Jayanta Singh said, "We h exercised maximum restraint and retaliated only when fired upon. H security forces t retaliated, and with miscreants targeting civilians, casualties of civilians would have been higher." On purported photographs of six missing persons in captivity of militants doing rounds on social media, senior officer said, "We have seen photographs... however, things are t confirmed yet. Search operations will continue." six missing persons were identified as Yumrembam Rani Devi (60), Telem Thoibi Devi (31) and her daughter Telem Thajamanbi Devi (8), Laishram Heithoibi Devi (25) and her two children Laishram Chingkheinganba Singh (two-and-a-half-years old) and Laishram Lamnganba Singh (10 months).

Earlier in day, bodies of two elderly men, identified as Laishram Balen and Maibam Kesho, were found following gunfight.

Muivah said, " two elderly men died after insurgents torched a few shops in Jakurhor Karong area." Meanwhile, schools and colleges were closed, markets shut, and vehicles remained off ros as hill areas witnessed a total shutdown. 13-hour bandh, which began at 5 am, was called by Kuki-Zo Council to "express collective grief and solidarity for those who were brutally shot de" in Jiribam on Monday.

untoward incident was reported from anywhere in Kuki-dominated hill areas during shutdown, officials said.

Various Kuki-Zo organisations sought a probe into events that unfolded in Jiribam.

In a statement, Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) said, "... CRPF personnel shall be allowed to leave ir camp premises. Any CRPF personnel found in violation of this tice shall do so at ir own risk and responsibility. This directive will remain enforced until CRPF publicly ackwledges and apologises for ir barbaric actions in Jiribam." Zomi Students' Federation (ZSF) said, "In light of inhumane actions of CRPF in Jiribam yesterday, in which 11 of our youths were treacherously murdered, we anunce a social boycott of CRPF. We demand an impartial court-monitored investigation into what can be best described as, 'fake encounter'." Hmar Students' Association (HSA) demanded a CBI investigation into incident and "deployment of neutral peacekeeping forces". Hmars are a part of larger Kuki-Zo community.

Various Kuki-Zo bodies called for a 12-hour bandh from 6 am on Tuesday.

On or hand, 13 civil society organisations called for a total shutdown in five districts of Imphal Valley on Tuesday evening, protesting alleged abduction of six people in Jiribam. shutdown began at 6 pm, and will continue for 24 hours, civil body International Peace and Social vancement (IPSA) said in a statement.

Tagging PM Narendra Modi , Union Home Minister Amit Shah and CM N Biren Singh, Congress 's Inner Manipur MP Bimol Akoijam posted on X, "Do whatever you must with all resources under your command to ensure ir safety and freedom from ir armed 'Kuki' abductors. God forbid, if anything untoward happens to se incent women and children, you shall be solely responsible."

(Except for heline, this story has t been edited by Republic and is published from a syndicated feed.)