Fresh violence in Manipur between the security forces and a mob forced the police to open fire, killing one protester.
Though it's unclear who shot the person, eyewitnesses claimed that the firing came from the direction of the security forces.
The deceased has been identified as K. Athouba.
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The incident took place on Sunday when protesters were vandalising properties near Babupara in Jiribam police station.
Protests erupted in Manipur after three bodies, including women and children, believed to be abducted by militants, were recovered from the Jiri River.
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#WATCH | NPP (National People's Party) withdrew its support to the Manipur Government on 17th November, with immediate effect.
— ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2024
In Shillong, Meghalaya CM and NPP chief Conrad Sangma says, "...We are hopeful that serious note should be taken about what's happening in Manipur and… pic.twitter.com/MxI7yP95Yz
The offices of the Congress and BJP, and a house belonging to Jiribam's Independent MLA were ransacked by a group of agitators as well.
Furniture, papers and many other household items were thrown out and made a bonfire out of them, said officials.
#WATCH | Manipur | Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Anish Dayal arrives at Imphal Airport. https://t.co/1uu6Yg2ajl pic.twitter.com/7pkBBzQgKB
— ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2024
In another incident, the body of another man was found near Jiribam town on Sunday. However, the police are yet to ascertain the identity of the person.
In the wake of the curfew, many shops, business establishments and pharmacies remained closed in Imphal Valley. Internet services were suspended after protesters vandalised and set ablaze items belonging to ministers and legislators.
Security forces have intensified patrolling in parts of Imphal and increased deployment at the residences of legislators and ministers. Roads leading to the secretariat, BJP headquarters and Raj Bhavan were also heavily patrolled.
Amid fresh violence in Manipur, the National People's Party (NPP) on Sunday withdrew support from the BJP-led government, claiming that CM N. Biren Singh failed to "resolve the crisis and restore normalcy" in the state.
A fresh wave of protests was witnessed in Manipur after six missing people went missing from a camp for displaced persons in Jiribam on Monday last week. Those who went missing belonged to the Meitei community.
On Sunday, the bodies of two persons, believed to be among the six missing people from Jiribam, were found floating in the Barak River in neighbouring Cachar district of Assam.
According to the police, bodies of five missing persons have been found so far.
The state administration suspended internet services in seven districts after violent protests.
