Manipur on Edge Again: Three Days On, Eight-month-old Among Six Abducted Remain Unrescued

Imphal: Manipur remains tense following abduction of three women and three children, including an eight-month-old, by armed assailants in Jiribam district on November 11. Nearly 72 hours have passed since incident, yet victims remain unaccounted for, despite intensive search operations by police and security forces. A senior government official on Wednesday (November 13), confirmed ongoing efforts to locate missing persons, with forces conducting combing operations across district.

ding to unrest, Imphal observed a total shutdown on Wednesday, with normal life brought to a standstill. 13 civil rights organizations called for shutdown, protesting both abductions and killing of two elderly individuals, who reportedly went missing amid a firefight between unidentified armed groups and combined forces of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and State police near Borobekra police station in Jiribam.

Meanwhile, an hour-long meeting took place at Raj Bhavan in Guwahati on Wednesday. Five Congress MLAs from Manipur, led by former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Manipur Presh Congress Committee President K. Meghachandra, met with Manipur Governor Laxman Acharya. Accompanied by Deputy CLP Leer K. Ranjit, Chief Whip Th. Lokeshwar, and MLA O. Surjakumar, Congress leers called for Governor's intervention in securing safe release of abducted individuals.

While security forces continue to work towards securing release of abducted individuals, unverified images circulating on social media, allegedly showing six captives in militant custody, have ded to anxiety across state. Authorities are still working to confirm aunticity of se images as y push forward with ir search and rescue operations.

Heightened Security and Demand for Peace

Following recent surge in violence, Union Ministry of Home Affairs deployed 20 ditional companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to Manipur. This reinforcement, consisting of approximately 2,000 personnel, aims to stabilize rising tensions across norastern state. Congress leers also urged Governor to take immediate steps to restore peace and end ongoing violence that has gripped region.

Okram Ibobi Singh, dressing reporters after meeting, expressed grave concern over deteriorating situation. “ situation in state has worsened in last few days, and nothing is predictable. rescue or release of captive women and children on humanitarian grounds would be most desirable and righteous decision," he said.

Ongoing Clashes in Manipur

Tension in Jiribam has intensified, with reports of fresh violence erupting since November 11 incident. Manipur Police has confirmed that 10 suspected militants were killed during a gunfight on Monday, with a senior official later revising toll to 11. Insurgents dressed in camouflage reportedly launched an attack on Borobekra police station and an jacent CRPF camp at Jakurhor in Jiribam district, leing to an exchange of fire with security forces.

Manipur Congress called for immediate release of abducted individuals, urging central intervention to dress ongoing conflict between warring ethnic communities. Singh criticised state government, saying, "We are not a power-thirsty party but we want to stress that for a government, priority is to protect peace."

Ethnic Conflict 

Since May of last year, ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meitei community and hills-based Kuki-Zo groups has claimed over 200 lives, rendering thousands homeless. Jiribam, which h largely escaped widespre violence seen in Valley and nearby hill areas, has become a new flashpoint. Violence erupted in June when mutilated body of a farmer was discovered, furr fueling tensions in area.