Curfew clamped in Manipur’s Jiribam after protests over killing of man

IMPHAL: The Manipur government has imposed an indefinite curfew in Jiribam district following protests over the killing of a 59-year-old man, Soibam Saratkumar Singh, by suspected militants. The prohibitory orders were issued on Thursday night after locals set fire to abandoned structures in response to the discovery of Singh’s body.
Despite the tense situation, the area remained calm on Friday morning.The official orders from the Office of District Magistrate Jiribam cited the “likelihood of widespread disturbance to peace and public tranquillity or riot or an affray..because of unlawful activities of anti-social elements.”
The local administration has prohibited “assembly of five persons or more, which is likely to turn unlawful, carrying of firearms, sticks… and movement of any person outside their respective residences within the revenue jurisdiction of the district.”
Singh had gone missing on Thursday morning while visiting his farm, and his body was later found with wounds inflicted by a sharp object. Locals staged a protest in front of Jiribam Police Station, demanding the return of their licensed firearms, which had been confiscated during the elections.

The administration has appealed to the people to maintain peace in the district, acknowledging that “Jiribam district is facing a difficult time in terms of law and order, public peace and tranquillity.” They have also requested the Jiribam superintendent of police to identify vulnerable areas and deploy security forces to prevent unwanted incidents.
A joint control room has been established, comprising officials from Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force, Manipur Police, and Indian Reserve Battalion, to facilitate quick communication among security forces in the district.
Jiribam, known for its diverse ethnic composition, including Meiteis, Muslims, Nagas, Kukis, and non-Manipuris, had previously remained unaffected by the ongoing ethnic strife in Manipur since May last year. The conflict between the Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and the hills-based Kukis has claimed over 200 lives and displaced thousands of people.