Custodial death: Shutdown disrupts normal life in Manipur
Imphal: Normal life was disrupted due to a shutdown in the Imphal valley of violence-hit Manipur state of India.
According to Kashmir Media Service, a 24-hour shutdown was called to protest the custodial death of a 27-year-old man earlier this month. Markets and educational establishments were closed and public vehicles remained off the roads in Imphal East and Imphal West district.
A Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed in connection with the custodial death of Khoisnam Sanajaoba called for the shutdown from midnight of Thursday. At parts of the Khurai constituency from where Khoisnam Sanajaoba hails, protesters blocked roads and burnt tyres. The authorities deployed additional forces in the state capital and in areas like Khurai, Lamlong and Porompat to prevent demonstrations against the killing.
The JAC, which has been demanding an impartial investigation into the custodial death of Khoisnam, said it had submitted a memorandum to the governor listing a charter of demands on April 17 but no response has been received from the government’s side. Earlier, the JAC along with other local clubs and Meira Paibis (women groups) had staged sit-ins demanding justice. The JAC asserted that Khoisnam was a village volunteer and was arrested by the state police on March 31 along with the four others for their alleged association with the proscribed outfit Kangleipak Communist Party (Nongdrenkhomba). It said that after being sent to Manipur Central Jail, Khoisnam was transferred to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences on April 13 under suspicious, where he was pronounced dead.
Manipur, under President’s Rule since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023—resulting in at least 260 deaths, mostly Kuki Christians—continues to grapple with unrest.
