Bodies of Woman and Children Found Near Manipur-Assam Border, Tensions Rise

The bodies of a woman and two children were discovered near the junction of the Jiri and Barak Rivers along the Manipur-Assam border on Friday. This area is about 16 kilometers from Borobekra, located in the Jiribam district, where six people had been reported missing earlier.

While the identities of the three bodies are still unknown, officials believe they may be the missing individuals. The bodies were transported to Silchar Medical College Hospital (SMCH) in Assam on Friday night and are being kept in the morgue for postmortem. Due to the limited infrastructure in Jiribam, autopsies for cases from Imphal are carried out at SMCH.

Following the discovery, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh convened a meeting with senior ministers on Friday night to address the situation.

As news of the recovery spread throughout Imphal Valley, tensions escalated in all five districts of the region. In response, state authorities declared a holiday for schools and colleges.

Manipur has been grappling with escalating violence and unrest since May of the previous year, with no signs of resolution. On Friday, protests intensified across the state, sparked by two significant events: the killing of 10 tribal individuals in a gunfight in Jiribam and the reimposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in certain regions.

In Churachandpur district, hundreds of residents took to the streets, voicing their anger over what they claim was a wrongful killing by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. The protesters are demanding accountability for the deaths, which they believe were unjustified, further fueling tensions in the region.

The violence and protests come amid ongoing security concerns in Manipur, where ethnic clashes and political unrest have exacerbated the situation. The re-imposition of AFSPA in some areas has drawn criticism, with many viewing it as an infringement on the rights of the people and a source of further unrest.

As Manipur continues to face this turbulent period, the state government and security forces are under increasing pressure to restore peace and address the grievances of the local population. However, with protests intensifying and violence spreading, finding a resolution remains a challenge.

Manipur: 11 Militants Killed in Fierce Gunfight with Security Forces