Manipur Violence: NDA MLAs Call for 'Mass Operation' Against Kuki Militants

Imphal: The state of Manipur is on the boil again with fresh violence and clashes between the Kuki and Meitei people. Six Meiteis - three women and three children who were living in a refugee camp in Jiribham, went missing and almost a week after, their bodies were found in a decomposed state. Amid the intense situation in Manipur, MLAs of NDA met for a meeting and have called for a ‘mass operation’ against the Kuki militants.

NDA MLAs Call for ‘Mass Operation’ Against Kuki Militants

A meeting of MLAs of the ruling BJP -led NDA in Manipur adopted a resolution calling for a "mass operation" against the Kuki militants responsible for killing three women and three children in Jiribam district within seven days, a statement said. The meeting, held on Monday night, was attended by 27 MLAs.

"To start Mass Operations against the Kuki militants responsible for the killing of the 6 (six) innocent women and children within 7 (seven) days," the statement said. "Declare the Kuki Militants responsible for the killing of the 6 (six) innocent women and children as an 'unlawful organisation' within 7 (seven) days," it added.

It was resolved that the case be handed over to the NIA immediately. "The Centre to review the imposition of AFSPA as per the order dated November 14 with immediate effect," the statement said.

If Resolutions Taken Are Not Implemented…

If the resolutions taken are not implemented within the specified period, all the NDA legislators will decide the further course of action in consultation with the people of Manipur, it said.

The Centre and the state government will take all necessary steps at the earliest to ensure peace and normalcy in Manipur, it said. The MLAs also condemned the attack on the properties of ministers and MLAs.

Legal actions will be initiated against the miscreants based on the findings of the High Powered Committee, the statement issued by the Chief Minister's Secretariat said. Seven MLAs were absent from the meeting with formal information on medical grounds, while notice was received from 11 MLAs for their absence without reasons, it said. 

Why is Manipur on the Boil Again?

The Manipur Police on November 11 claimed 10 suspected militants were killed in a fierce gunfight with security forces after insurgents in camouflage uniforms and armed with sophisticated weapons fired indiscriminately at Borobekra Police Station and an adjacent CRPF camp at Jakuradhor in Jiribam district. Hours later, suspected militants allegedly abducted six civilians, including women and children, from the same district, police had claimed.

In fresh violence on Saturday, three women and three children were killed by militants in Jiribam district; headless body of a 2-year-old boy was found. The residences of three state ministers and six MLAs were attacked earlier on Saturday - enraged people torched the houses of PWD Minister Govindas Konthoujam at Ningthoukhong, Hiyanglam's BJP MLA Y Radheshyam at Langmeidong Bazar, Wangjing Tentha's BJP MLA Paonam Brojen in Thoubal district and Khundrakpam's Congress MLA Th Lokeshwar in Imphal East district, the officials said. The legislators and their family members were not at home when the mob stormed their residential compounds, vandalised properties and set the houses on fire, police said, adding the houses were partially burnt in the incidents.

A total curfew has been imposed in Imphal until further notice after the state witnessed fresh episodes of violence and internet has been suspended in seven districts of the state.

(Inputs from PTI)