Manipur witnessed a series of significant developments on Monday, including the recovery of a missing village guard’s body, the inauguration of the state’s first exclusive National Investigation Agency (NIA) court, and a massive public rally demanding the updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
A 57-year-old Village Guard, Chunjanglung Panmei of Pongringlong Part-I Rongmei Naga village, who had been reported missing after an armed attack in the Pongringlong area on Monday, was found dead. According to a statement issued by the Pongringlong Youth Club (PYC), Panmei went missing during an attack allegedly carried out by armed Kuki groups. His body was later recovered with apparent bullet wounds.
The PYC expressed deep concern over the incident and called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. The organization also extended condolences to the bereaved family and urged people not to circulate unverified information. Earlier, the Joint Tribes Council Manipur (JTC-Manipur) and Rongmei Naga Council Manipur (RNCM) had strongly condemned the attack on Rongmei Naga civilians near Pongringlong and Pondaijang.
In another major development, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh inaugurated Manipur’s first Exclusive Special Court of the National Investigation Agency at the Thoubal District Court Complex in Khangabok. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the court would significantly strengthen the state’s judicial infrastructure and ensure quicker access to justice. He noted that people involved in NIA-related cases previously had to travel outside the state for legal proceedings, resulting in financial and logistical difficulties.
The inauguration ceremony was jointly organized by the Law and Legislative Affairs Department of the Government of Manipur and the High Court of Manipur. Several ministers, judges, senior government officials, advocates and representatives of bar associations attended the event. Later, the Chief Minister also participated in a seminar on “Media for Communal Harmony and Responsible Journalism” in Imphal.
Meanwhile, thousands of people took part in a mass rally in Imphal demanding the updation of the National Register of Citizens before the next census is conducted in the state. Organized by 14 civil society organizations under the banner of 14 CSOs Kangleipak, the rally drew participation from students, youth, artists, internally displaced persons and members of indigenous communities.
Addressing the gathering, convenor Shanta Nahakpam alleged that repeated demands for NRC updation in Manipur had been ignored despite concerns over illegal immigration. He argued that an updated NRC is essential to ensure fair delimitation and safeguard the political and constitutional rights of indigenous communities. He also urged the Centre to include a Manipur government agency in the committee studying demographic changes, citing the state’s unique challenges related to the India-Myanmar border, illegal immigration and cross-border criminal networks.
Missing Village Guard Found Dead, Manipur Gets First NIA Court as Thousands Rally for NRC Update
