Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh stated on Tuesday that the Central and State Governments have launched extensive combing operations in Jiribam and surrounding areas to apprehend those responsible for the recent killings. He assured that the operations would continue until the culprits are brought to justice.
During a press conference, Singh elaborated on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) legislature forum’s recent proposal to the Central Government, which includes removing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from six new police stations, transferring Jiribam-related cases to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and conducting large-scale combing operations against militants.
“On November 18, the NDA legislature forum in Manipur took a decision and sent it to the Government of India for implementation. There are 3-4 points, including the removal of AFSPA from the six new police stations and the case relating to Jiribam’s heinous killing cases that will be handed over to the NIA, and mass combing operations against those terrorists will be continued. So, these are the few points which we adopted in the meeting and we sent to the Central Government,” said Singh.
He confirmed that the Central Government has accepted parts of the proposal, with the NIA taking over all three cases related to the Jiribam incidents.
“As per request, the NIA has informed us and has sent out a press release that the NIA has taken up all three cases of Jiribam incidents. The Central Government, along with the State Government, has also started mass combing operations to arrest the culprits in Jiribam and adjoining areas, and we will continue till the culprits are booked. The Centre has already accepted 2-3 points and the Action Taken Report is already in my hand,” he said.
The Chief Minister also addressed a separate case involving a missing person from Loitang Khunou, stating that police had registered a zero FIR and search efforts were underway.
“Today, a very unfortunate accident occurred, but not yet confirmed – one person from Loitang Khunou is missing. As per the report available to me, he went inside the Army campus for work, he was doing some financial work there for some officials. But, up to 2 pm, he was in connection with his family. But after 2.30 pm, the connection with him was lost. His phone turned off. Then the information came to the police, and the police have already filed a zero FIR. Searching and investigation are on. We will continue it,” Singh added.
He urged the people of Manipur to stay calm and avoid any form of violence, emphasizing the complexity of the current situation.
“Government and people together, let us urge the Centre to lift the AFSPA. But in the meantime, let us leave any kind of violence. We should not do any kind of violence…I appeal to the people of the state to stay calm because these are very complex issues. We cannot face it based on emotions,” he said.
Earlier, Manipur MLAs passed a resolution urging the Central Government to review the imposition of AFSPA and calling for immediate action against the Kuki militants allegedly responsible for the killings in Jiribam. The resolution demanded the designation of the Kuki militants as an “unlawful organization” within seven days.
The incident in Jiribam, which resulted in the deaths of six people, including women and children, has escalated tensions in the region. In response, internet services were suspended in seven districts.