IMPHAL, October 21 (Aalimi Nation) – Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party over the latest killings in Manipur and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to explain what is being done to restore peace, as the state government ordered an urgent operation to arrest those responsible.
What happened
Three civilians were shot dead on Monday while collecting firewood in a forest area on the border of Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts, according to the state government and police officials. Three others were reported injured when gunmen opened fire on a group of 16 people from the Meitei community. Three more people were reported missing, according to initial accounts. Reports differ on the exact location of the incident.
Residents protested in Imphal by placing two of the bodies outside the Chief Minister's residence. Separately, one person died in clashes between two communities in Thoubal district on Sunday, and authorities imposed prohibitory orders.
On Tuesday morning, a 45-year-old man from the Kuki community was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Kangpokpi district, police said, while a man travelling with him escaped unhurt. A case has been registered. A local community body alleged the involvement of armed groups; police have not confirmed that allegation.
Government response
Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh condemned the killing of "innocent civilians by armed miscreants" and chaired a security review attended by the state Home Minister, senior police officers and representatives of the Army, Assam Rifles and central armed police forces. He directed officials to strengthen security in vulnerable areas, and the government told police and security forces to launch an urgent operation to arrest those responsible. He said the government would bear the medical expenses of the injured.
Legislators of the ruling alliance unanimously condemned the killings at an emergency meeting. The Chief Minister met opposition leaders and said their suggestions would be considered.
Opposition demands
Opposition parties in the state called for an immediate all-party meeting. The state Congress unit demanded the Chief Minister's resignation, saying he had failed to protect citizens, and criticised the removal of a security post at Khamenlok, which it said left residents vulnerable. Another group urged the state to press the Centre to withdraw the Suspension of Operations pact with Kuki armed groups. These are the parties' own assertions; the government has not responded to them in the information available.
Kharge's questions
In a post on social media, Kharge said Manipur "is bleeding again" because of what he called the BJP's incompetence. He said more than 300 people have died since May 2023 and that 24,530 people remain in relief camps. He asked, "How many more innocent lives must be lost before the Prime Minister and Home Minister act?" and sought answers on the Peace Committee set up in June 2023, action on recommendations of the Supreme Court-appointed committee headed by former judge Gita Mittal, and the rehabilitation of displaced families. No response from the BJP or the Centre was available at the time of writing.
What to watch next
Authorities have not announced arrests. Any all-party meeting and the status of the missing are key developments to watch.
