Fresh violence in Manipur; schools, colleges to shut on Sept 7

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 6, 2024

Amid escalating violence in Manipur since Sunday last, the state government has ordered for closure of all schools, colleges and other educational institutions on Saturday.

The order was issued hours after a group of armed miscreants fired the locally made surface to surface ballistic missile targeting the residence of former Chief Minister late Mairenbam Koireng in Moirang, Sendra Road killing an elderly person and injuring five others at around 3.30 pm on Friday.

“In view of the unrest and prevailing situation, and keeping in mind the safety of the students and teachers all government schools, government aided, private schools and central schools of the state will stay closed on September 7,” an official order stated.

“All zonal educational officers under the Department of Education are hereby directed to inform all concerned under their jurisdiction and take up necessary action accordingly, the order added.

On Friday, the people of five districts of the state formed a human chain in response to the call given by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) demanding the government’s approach to resolving the ongoing conflicts in the state.

All shops and major markets were shut down, and the streets wore a deserted look as school and college students, as well as office employees, participated in the protest, forming human chains across various locations.

Suspected militants bombed at the residence of former Chief Minister late Mairenbam Koireng at Moirang Mairenbam Leikai around 3.30 pm. An elderly man was killed while five others were injured in the attack. The deceased has been identified as RK Rabei (70) of Moirang Pheewangbam Leikai of Moirang.

A similar rocket attack allegedly took place in the early hours of Friday at Tronglaobi in the same district, which took place around 4.30 am and destroyed two structures.

According to the report, rockets were fired from the nearby Churachandpur hills toward Tronglaobi, about 45 km from Imphal.

The rocket hit the wall of the home and exploded killing Rabei Singh instantly.

Expressing dissatisfaction at the approach of the state government to deal with the situation, the COCOMI has also issued a five-day ultimatum to central forces deployed in Manipur, demanding stringent action against Kuki militants responsible for the series of drone bomb attacks.

However, Kuki groups blamed the Meitei for the drone attack and said it was a conspiracy of the Manipur government and its sponsored armed forces to blame Kuki groups.

A Kuki social worker Lalboy Haokip said: “The residence of former Chief Minister M Koireng was bombed. They are now blaming Kukis! Our volunteers are not in such positions…! The Meiteis have started using bombs since the violence outbreak,” said Lalboy Haokip, a social worker from Churachandpur.”

“They want to eliminate tribal volunteers and also other underground outfits – non-SoO groups – ZUF, KYKL, etc. Hill areas fall under AFSPA while some parts of the valley are uncovered by AFSPA,” Haokip added.