Imphal: Manipur remains tense following the 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 the incident, yet the victims remain unaccounted for, despite intensive search operations by police and security forces. A senior government official on Wednesday (November 13), confirmed the ongoing efforts to locate the missing persons, with forces conducting combing operations across the district.

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

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

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

Heightened Security and Demand for Peace

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

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

Ongoing Clashes in Manipur

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

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

Ethnic Conflict 

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