SERIES OF VIOLENT INCIDENT ROCKS IMPHAL VALLEY; LAWLESSNESS AT ITS PEAK

A series of violent incidents including a bomb blast at the office premises of a student body inside the DM University complex, followed by the burning of CSOs offices located in various parts of Imphal has rocked the Imphal valley since yesterday evening.

Arson attacks and bomb blasts, acts of violence frequently leading to damage of property, injury, and loss of life are clear indicators of breakdown of law and order when they occur within a city. The Imphal Valley has been plagued by such violent incidents since the onset of the ethnic conflict last year. Meitei radical groups, militants, and armed individuals have been responsible for various acts of violence, dominating the news coverage of Imphal-based media outlets.

Two students sustained injury in the blast that occurred at around 10 PM yesterday at the office complex of a student body inside DMU complex. Among them, one student identified as Oinam Kenegy (24) succumbed to injury while another identified as Salam Michael [24] is currently undergoing treatment at Raj Medicity Hospital. Video of the blasts captured on CCTV went viral on social media platforms. Police sources suggested that the blast was triggered using remote control.

At around 11.30 PM, some unidentified persons burnt the office of the United Committee Manipur (UCM) located at Lamphel. Around the same time, office of the Coalitions Against Drug and Alcohol (CADA) located at Pureiromba Khongnagkhong, MAPI Council office Manipur at Wangkhei, and Macha Leima at Palace Compound in Imphal East district also met the same fate. A vehicle was also burnt at Mayai Lambi road near Keishampat Laishom Leirak by miscreants. Around the same time unknown miscreants also blasted a bomb at the residence of an individual at Tera Yengkhom Leirak. However, no one was reported injured in the blast.

No militant organization has claimed responsibility for the recent bombing at the AMSU office or the arson attacks on several CSO offices since yesterday evening. Additionally, law enforcement agencies have not issued statements regarding these  incidents,  suggesting  a  breakdown in  the  State’s  constitutional  mechanisms.

Meanwhile, reacting strongly to this violent incident, UCM consultant Yumnamcha Dilipkumar stated that whoever committed this arson should be apprehended and given strict punishment in accordance with the law. He further expressed his dismay, stating that the arson of the UCM office was heart-breaking. UCM is an organization consisting of multiple entities, and this incident has not affected the organization itself. He added, “Those who have done this, for whatever reason, should have talked to us directly first”. Lamenting the loss, he said, “All the documents that were painstakingly collected – a large collection of documents on the history and boundary of Manipur – are now turned to ashes”. He further stated that this is an intelligence failure on the part of the Manipur Home Department, and the Government is responsible. Therefore, they should take immediate action. Dilipkumar emphasized that if the Manipur government is still in power, they should take appropriate actions.

Furthermore, the remaining Kuki houses of Vaiphei Veng, Mantripukhri in Imphal area were set on fire this evening. Deserted Kuki homes in Imphal area since the onset of violence were illegally occupied by Arambai Tenggol and UNLF to establish their offices, in defiance of the Supreme Court directives aimed at protecting the properties of displaced persons.

Frequent arson attacks and bomb blasts pose significant challenges for law enforcement agencies tasked with maintaining peace and security. However, the state law enforcement agency has failed to fulfill its duties. Notably biased against the Kukis, the state police have been unable to prevent these violent activities from occurring under their watch. Incidents such as looting of government armories, extortion, kidnapping, and arson have taken place unabated, while the state law enforcement agency appears to have relinquished its authority to armed radicals like Arambai Tenggol. Similarly, political representatives, including MLAs and MPs, have compromised their integrity by submitting to the influence of Arambai Tenggol, further exacerbating the breakdown of law and order in the region.