Manipur violence triggers mass resignation among BJP leaders; 1 killed in Jiribam protests

Violent unrest in Manipur continues to escalate, leading to the resignation of several BJP officials from the Jiribam district. These leaders have cited the deteriorating state conditions in their resignation letter addressed to Manipur BJP chief Sharda Devi. However, the BJP state office has clarified that they have not officially received any resignation letters from the BJP committee of Jiribam Mandal.

The ongoing violence, which has deeply shaken Manipur, saw its most recent escalation on Monday. Vehicles were set ablaze during the protests, as captured in PTI's file photos.

In response to the recent surge in violence, BJP officials from Jiribam jointly signed a resignation letter expressing their concerns. Despite these claims, the BJP state office maintains that no formal resignations have been received yet.

Rising Tensions and Protests

The situation in Manipur has become increasingly volatile following the deaths of six Meitei civilians abducted by Kuki militants on November 11. The bodies were discovered shortly after, heightening tensions in the region.

On Sunday, protests in Manipur’s valley areas turned deadly when a 20-year-old protester, K Athouba, was killed, and another was injured. The police reported that security forces opened fire to disperse the mob in Jiribam district, with the incident occurring around 11 pm at Babupara.

Political Offices Targeted

In the Jiribam area, local offices of both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress were ransacked and set on fire by the protesters. The security forces responded with firing to control the situation.

Attack on Minister’s Residence

In a separate incident, the residence of Public Works Department (PWD) and Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS) Minister Govindas Konthoujam was set ablaze by an estimated 300 to 400 protesters. The attack resulted in extensive damage, with losses estimated at around Rs 3 crore. Approximately 80 percent of the house and the minister’s office, located on the premises, were destroyed in the fire.

Government Response

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reviewed the security situation in Manipur, instructing Ministry of Home Affairs officials to take all necessary steps to ensure peace in the state. The Home Ministry has directed security forces to restore order, addressing the fragile security situation that has persisted over the past few days.

The situation remains tense as authorities work to bring stability back to the troubled region.