As violence continues to rock Manipur, a protester was shot dead during a clash between a mob and security forces in the Jiribam district on Sunday. The mob was reportedly vandalising property when the clash erupted. 

Police confirmed that one person was killed in the firing, but it was not immediately clear who had opened fire, according to a PTI report. Eyewitnesses claimed that the firing came from the direction of the security forces.

As per the report, the agitators were vandalising property at Babupara in the Jiribam police station area in protest against the abduction of six women and children by militants from a relief camp last Monday. Media reports suggest all six, who belonged to the same family, are dead. The body of one of the children, a 2.5-year-old, was reportedly found headless in a river.  

Amid the fresh violence, curfew has been imposed in Imphal West and East along with an internet shutdown across seven districts. 

On Monday, it was reported that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken charge of the investigation in three cases linked to the recent violence in Manipur. The NIA took over the cases following an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) following a security review. 

According to ANI, these cases include the November 11 gun battle between the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and suspected Kuki militants in Jiribam. At least 10 Kuki men were killed in the exchange of fire. While the authorities have identified them as militants, community groups have described them as volunteers guarding people against attacks from “valley-based” intruders, The Times of India reported. 

The NIA will also look into the death of the six hostages in Jiribam. 

The unrest in Manipur over the past week escalated further when mobs damaged the houses of several MLAs. 

The MHA has requested the public to maintain peace and not believe rumours, and cooperate with the security forces to maintain law and order in Manipur, reported ANI. To handle the resurgence of violence, the MHA is taking significant steps, including deploying an additional 2,000 Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel. More CAPF companies will be dispatched if necessary.