Manipur: Imphal residents hold torchlight rally against recent killings

Imphal: Hundreds of residents, including numerous women, took to the streets in Imphal city in Manipur on Monday night, carrying burning torches to protest the recent rocket and drone bomb attacks that claimed innocent lives.

Organized by the All Thangmeiband Assembly constituency Metei Paibis, the torch rally aimed to denounce the killing of a Manipuri housewife and a man in a series of attacks targeting Meitei-dominated areas. Protesters held placards and shouted slogans demanding an end to the violence and the restoration of peace.

The rally began at the Thangmeibandh Athletic Union ground, near the Manipur Legislative Assembly, and passed through several neighborhoods, including Khuyathong, Nagamapal, and the historic Kangla gate.

Meanwhile, following an agreement with the government, the Joint Action Committee formed to protest the killings of Ngangbam Surbala Devi and Yurembam Kulendra claimed the bodies of the victims on Monday for funeral rites.

The committee and the government agreed to intensify investigations to apprehend those responsible for the killings.

The nocturnal rally came as students across the valley districts continued their protests demanding the dismissal of Security Advisor Kuldeep Singh and DGP Rajiv Singh, citing their failure to contain the ongoing violence.