Manipur violence: Protester killed in firing during clash with security forces in Jiribam

Protester killed in Manipur clash, escalating violence in Jiribam district, leading to political turmoil and curfews in Imphal.

“A protester was killed in firing during a clash between security forces and a mob that was vandalising properties in Manipur’s Jiribam district,” police said on Monday (November 18, 2024).

Police confirmed that one person was killed in firing but said it was not immediately clear who opened fire, while eyewitnesses claimed the firing came from the direction of the security forces.

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The incident took place late on Sunday night (November 17, 2024) when agitators were vandalising properties at Babupara in Jiribam police station area to protest the killing of women and children abducted by militants.

“One person was killed in firing... it was not immediately clear who opened fire,” a police officer said. “The deceased has been identified as K. Athouba, who was in his twenties,” he said.

“The offices of the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a house belonging to Jiribam’s Independent MLA were ransacked by a group of agitators. They brought furniture, paper and other things out of the properties and made a bonfire out of them in front of the buildings,” officials said.

Earlier on Sunday (November 17, 2024), the body of another man, whose identity was yet to be ascertained, was found near Jiribam town and it was kept in the district hospital.