Following protests over the death of a 59-year-old man by suspected militants, the Manipur government declared an indefinite curfew in Jiribam district, an official said on Friday. Following the recovery of Soibam Saratkumar Singh’s body, some residents set fire to some abandoned buildings, leading to the lifting of prohibitory orders on Thursday night.
Following the man’s death, residents staged protests on Friday morning, which kept the situation tense but under control. “There is a possibility of widespread disturbance of public peace and tranquility or riots or scuffles due to illegal activities of anti-social elements,” the official said, citing orders issued by the Jiribam District Magistrate’s Office.
The local administration also prohibited “gatherings of five or more people that may be illegal, the carrying of firearms, sticks… and the movement of any person outside their respective residences within the fiscal jurisdiction of the district.” Singh disappeared Thursday morning after leaving for his farm, and a police officer reported that his body was later discovered with cuts from a sharp object.
In front of the Jiribam police station, locals had staged a protest demanding the return of legally owned firearms confiscated during the electoral process. The district administration appealed to the population to remain calm.
“Jiribam district is facing a difficult time in terms of law and order, public peace and tranquility,” a notice said, adding that “all sections of the society are called upon… to maintain peace and calm down and not succumb to any false information. The district magistrate also asked the Jiribam superintendent of police to “identify vulnerable pockets and deploy security forces to prevent unwanted incidents.”
To facilitate quick communication between district security forces, a combined control center has also been set up with representatives of Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force, Manipur Police and Indian Reserve Battalion. With a mixed ethnic population that includes Muslims, Kukis, Nagas, Meiteis and non-Manipuris, Jiribam has not been affected by the ethnic conflict raging in Manipur since May last year. More than 200 people have died and many more have been left homeless as a result of ethnic violence between the Meiteis, who live in the Imphal Valley, and the Kukis, who live in the highlands.
(With input from PTI)