Imphal valley faces complete shutdown amid protests over alleged Jiribam abductions

NEW DELHI: Thirteen civil society organisation on Tuesday evening called for a 24-hour total shutdown across five districts in Manipur's Imphal valley, demanding the rescue of six people allegedly abducted in Jiribam and protesting what they claim are "coordinated attacks" on civilians in the region.

The shutdown began at 6pm and will continue until Wednesday evening, according to the International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), one of the leading civil bodies in the protest.

The abducted individuals, reportedly members of the same family, were allegedly taken in Jiribam, with unconfirmed images circulating on social media purportedly showing them in captivity. Manipur Police confirmed that a search operation is underway but stated that the authenticity of the images has not been verified.

"We demand the immediate rescue of the six abducted people," IPSA said. " Kuki militants are attacking defenseless Meitei people without consequence. There is no rule of law in the state, and the government has failed to protect civilians from coordinated assaults by militants at Koutruk, Senjam Chirang, and Kadangband."

Among the civil society groups supporting the shutdown are the All Clubs Organisations Association and Meira Paibi Lup (ACOAM Lup), Indigenous People's Association of Kangleipak (IPAK), and Kangleipak Students' Association (KSA).

The recent spike in violence in Manipur includes a gunfight on Monday at Borobekra police station and a nearby CRPF camp. Manipur Police reported that ten militants were killed after security forces retaliated, while a senior government official placed the toll at 11.

The police station compound, which also houses a relief camp, had about 100 displaced people staying there at the time. Following the attack, two elderly residents were found dead, while three others were rescued, and three women and three children remain missing.

In the wake of the violence, fresh clashes broke out on Tuesday in several locations across Imphal Valley, with armed groups from both sides exchanging fire, police said.

Jiribam’s Meitei group Jiri Apunba Lup called on authorities to act swiftly to rescue the six missing individuals. The Jiribam United Committee similarly urged officials to ensure the safety and immediate return of the abductees, condemning the deaths of the two elderly residents and voicing deep concern over the ongoing violence.

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), another prominent Meitei group, also demanded urgent action to recover the six individuals, blaming the incident on what it claimed was negligence by both state and central security forces.

Congress MP from Inner Manipur, Bimol Akoijam, took to social media platform X to address Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. “Do whatever you must with all the resources under your command to ensure their safety and freedom from their armed ‘Kuki’ abductors,” Akoijam wrote. “If anything untoward happens to these innocent women and children, you shall be solely responsible.”