IMPHAL :  Manipur government has imposed an indefinite curfew in Jiribam district following the murder of a 59-year-old man by suspected militants, leading to protests from the local community. The curfew, effective from Thursday (June 06) night, comes after locals set abandoned structures ablaze in reaction to the recovery of the body of a local man, identified as Soibam Saratkumar Singh, which showed wounds inflicted by a sharp object.

The situation remained tense but under control on Friday (June 07) morning as residents continued to demonstrate against the killing.

In response to the unrest, the Jiribam district administration in Manipur issued prohibitory orders to prevent assemblies of five or more people and to restrict the carrying of firearms, sticks, and other potential weapons.

Singh, who had gone missing after visiting his farm on Thursday (June 06) morning, was found dead later in the day.

The community’s outrage was further fuelled by demands for the return of their licensed firearms, which had been confiscated during the election period.

Officials from the Jiribam district administration in Manipur have urged the public to maintain peace and not to fall prey to false information.

The Jiribam district magistrate has instructed the SP to identify vulnerable areas and deploy security forces to prevent further incidents.

Additionally, a joint control room has been established, involving the Assam Rifles, CRPF, Manipur police, and Indian Reserve Battalion, to ensure quick communication and response among the security forces.

Jiribam, a district with a diverse ethnic composition including Meiteis, Muslims, Nagas, Kukis and non-Manipuris, had previously remained untouched by the ethnic strife that has plagued Manipur since May of last year.

The ongoing conflict between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and hill-based Kukis in Manipur has resulted in over 200 deaths and thousands of people being displaced.