The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) today called off the indefinite shutdown it initiated in Churachandpur, protesting the arrests made by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and National Investigation Agency (NIA) regarding the murder of two youths. The ITLF, in a statement, mentioned reassessing the situation before deciding on any further “intense agitation”.
The community’s outcry was triggered when images of two missing youths, 20-year-old Phijam Hemanjit and 17-year-old Hijam Linthoingambi, emerged on September 25. Four individuals have been detained in connection with the abductions and murders, subsequently relocated to Guwahati. Additionally, two minor daughters of the primary suspect were transferred to Assam’s child protection officer in the Kamrup Metro district.
In a related incident in Churachandpur, an effigy representing ‘Justice’ was displayed at an ‘Anglo-Kuki war’ memorial site, emphasising alleged community oppression by the state. Posters condemning Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh also appeared in the region. Protesters further challenged the central agencies’ impartiality, insinuating they acted on state directives, turning the focus towards Imphal, the state capital embroiled in a five-month-long ethnic conflict.
Since May 3, after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ took place, the strife intensified, leading to over 180 fatalities and injuring hundreds. This march was in response to the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status. The Meiteis comprise approximately 53% of Manipur’s residents, mainly inhabiting the Imphal Valley, whereas Tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, make up just above 40%.
Meanwhile, in New Delhi, a Delhi court has extended by eight days the NIA custody of Seiminlun Gangte, detained concerning the ethnic unrest in Manipur. The NIA highlighted a transnational conspiracy, allegedly involving Gangte, to capitalise on Manipur’s ongoing ethnic tensions and wage war against India. Gangte, arrested from Manipur and later transported to Delhi, now faces charges under the anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), among other penal codes.
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