IT News
Jiribam, Nov 18:
A peaceful protest in Jiribam District took a tragic turn when a senior police officer, Colonel (Retd.) Nectar Sanjenbam, reportedly opened fire on an unarmed crowd, killing 22-year-old Khundrakpam Athouba Ningthouja and injuring another. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and heightened tensions in the already volatile region.
The protest was organized in response to the recent abduction and killing of six women and children in the Borobekra Sub-Division by suspected militants. Emotions were running high as residents gathered to demand justice. During the gathering, Senior Superintendent of Police (Combat) Nectar Sanjenbam allegedly confronted the protesters.
Eyewitnesses reported a heated exchange between the officer and the crowd, which escalated when Nectar Sanjenbam drew his firearm and opened fire. Kh. Athouba, a resident of Kamranga Mamang Leikai, was fatally shot, while another protester, 24-year-old K. Bison Singh, sustained injuries. Kh. Athouba was reportedly unarmed and posed no threat at the time of the shooting.
The incident has ignited public anger, with protests intensifying across Jiribam. Demonstrators, including members of the Meira Paibis, have surrounded the Public Works Department (PWD) guesthouse in Babupara, where Nectar Sanjenbam and his team have reportedly taken refuge.
Crowds have demanded that the officer be handed over for accountability, but as of now, his fate remains uncertain. Tensions have also spread to Imphal, where an angry mob gathered outside Nectar Sanjenbam’s residence, attempting to storm the property. However, Manipur Police is protecting the house of Nectar Sanjenbam and have foiled the attempts of the mob to vandalize the property of the police officer.
Colonel (Retd.) Nectar Sanjenbam was appointed Senior Superintendent of Police (Combat) in August 2023, following a special State Cabinet decision that relaxed recruitment norms. His tenure, originally set for five years, was intended to bolster combat operations in the region.
However, this incident has brought his controversial appointment under scrutiny. Critics are questioning whether proper vetting and accountability measures were in place before his engagement.
The state government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident. Calls for an independent inquiry are mounting, with citizens demanding justice for Athouba and a reassessment of Nectar Sanjenbam’s role in the Manipur Police Department.
