Imphal: Normal life in Manipur’s Imphal Valley came to a standstill on Friday as a 24-hour statewide bandh, called in response to the alleged custodial death of 27-year-old Khoisnam Sanajaoba, took effect.
The shutdown, organized by a Joint Action Committee (JAC), resulted in the complete closure of markets and schools, along with the suspension of all public transportation services throughout the Imphal East and Imphal West districts.
In anticipation of potential unrest, security forces maintained a strong presence across several key locations within Imphal East, including Khurai, Lamlong, and Porompat. Prior to the bandh, the state government had already implemented prohibitory orders in these areas on late Thursday, effectively banning gatherings of more than five individuals and the carrying of any weapons or items deemed potentially hazardous.
Khurai, the native constituency of the deceased Sanajaoba, witnessed widespread disruption as residents blocked roads and set fire to tyres in a forceful display of support for the bandh. The JAC, which was specifically formed in the aftermath of Sanajaoba’s death, has publicly accused the state government of inaction and is vehemently demanding a fair and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his demise. The committee stated that it had formally submitted a memorandum outlining a series of demands to the governor on April 17, but has yet to receive any official response from the government.
Khoisnam Sanajaoba was apprehended on March 31 along with four other individuals on suspicion of having connections to the outlawed Kangleipak Communist Party. Subsequently, he was remanded to judicial custody at Manipur Central Jail in Sajiwa on April 10. Just three days later, on April 13, he was admitted to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, where he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
The JAC, along with various local civil society organizations, including the Meira Paibis, have described Sanajaoba as a “village volunteer” and have been actively staging a series of sit-in protests to demand accountability for his death. This latest incident has further exacerbated the already heightened tensions within the state, which has been grappling with ongoing ethnic violence that has tragically claimed the lives of over 260 people since May 2023. Manipur is currently under President’s Rule.
The JAC has firmly reiterated its demand for a thorough and impartial investigation into the events leading to Sanajaoba’s death and has issued a warning of potential escalation in their agitation if their demands continue to be ignored by the authorities.
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