Custodial Death: Shutdown Disrupts Daily Life in Imphal Valley of Manipur
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Synopsis
A 24-hour statewide shutdown in Manipur's Imphal valley, called by the Joint Action Committee to protest a suspected custodial death, has severely disrupted daily life. Businesses and educational institutions are closed, with extensive security measures in place to maintain order.
Key Takeaways
- Joint Action Committee initiated a statewide shutdown.
- Disruption of daily life in Imphal valley regions.
- Prohibitory orders imposed to prevent gatherings.
- Continued demands for an impartial investigation.
- Protests organized by local clubs and women's groups.
Imphal, April 25 (NationPress) A 24-hour statewide shutdown initiated by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) to protest the alleged custodial death of a 27-year-old individual earlier this month has significantly disrupted normal activities in the Imphal valley regions of Manipur, according to officials.
Authorities reported that shops, markets, business establishments, and educational institutions remained closed, and all forms of transportation, aside from those used by security forces and emergency services, were off the roads, particularly in Imphal East and Imphal West districts.
“There have been no significant incidents related to the shutdown,” a police spokesperson informed IANS.
Nonetheless, demonstrators barricaded roads in the Khurai Ningthoubung Leikai area, where the victim was from, and set fire to unused tyres on the road to enforce the bandh.
Extensive security forces were deployed throughout the Imphal valley, particularly in the Imphal East and Imphal West districts, to avert any disturbances.
The District Magistrate of Imphal East, Mayanglambam Rajkumar Singh, issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS on Thursday ahead of the 24-hour bandh.
These orders restricted gatherings of five or more individuals from midnight on April 24 until midnight on April 25.
Additionally, the carrying of sticks, stones, firearms, sharp weapons, and explosive materials was also banned.
The JAC, formed in response to the alleged custodial death of Khoisnam Sanajaoba on April 13, called for a statewide shutdown starting at midnight on Thursday.
Khoisnam Sanajaoba, aged 27 and a resident of Khurai Ningthoubung Leikai in Imphal East, was detained on March 31 along with four others for suspected connections with the banned group Kangleipak Communist Party (Noyon faction). He was later sent to Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa, and on April 13, he was admitted to the casualty ward of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, where he was declared dead.
The JAC has been calling for a thorough and impartial investigation into the suspected custodial death of the young man.
JAC leaders indicated that they submitted a memorandum on April 17 to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla outlining their demands, but have yet to receive a response from the government.
In conjunction with other local organizations and women’s groups, the committee has organized multiple protests to demand justice and an unbiased inquiry.
The JAC emphasized that Khoisnam Sanajaoba was a village volunteer and was arrested by state police on March 31 along with four others due to alleged links with the banned organization KCP.
The committee condemned the government's indifference towards the custodial death, asserting that such negligence has compelled them to escalate their protests.
They have urged all members of the community to support the shutdown as a display of solidarity in their quest for justice.
