Bandh Paralyzes Life in Imphal Valley Amid Public Anger Over Alleged Custodial Death

Imphal :Normal life came to a standstill in Manipur’s Imphal Valley on Friday following a 24-hour bandh called by a Joint Action Committee (JAC) over the alleged custodial death of 27-year-old Khoisnam Sanajaoba. The statewide shutdown saw markets shuttered, schools closed, and public transportation services suspended, particularly in the districts of Imphal East and Imphal West.Sanajaoba, a resident of Khurai, was arrested on March 31 along with four others for alleged affiliations with the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party. He was lodged in Manipur Central Jail at Sajiwa on April 10. Just three days later, he was admitted to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. His sudden death has sparked widespread outrage and demands for justice.The bandh was marked by widespread protests, particularly in Khurai, where residents blocked roads and set tyres ablaze to enforce the shutdown. The JAC, formed in response to Sanajaoba’s death, has alleged state negligence and is demanding an independent probe. The committee claimed it had submitted a list of demands to the Governor on April 17, but no official response has been received.In anticipation of unrest, the state government imposed prohibitory orders in sensitive areas such as Khurai, Lamlong, and Porompat. Assembly of more than five people and the carrying of weapons or hazardous materials were banned. Heavy security deployment was seen throughout the region to prevent any escalation.Local civil society groups, including the women-led Meira Paibis, have joined the protest movement, staging sit-ins and public demonstrations to demand accountability. Describing Sanajaoba as a “village volunteer,” they have called for transparency and fairness in the investigation into his death.The incident has further intensified tensions in a state already facing ethnic unrest since May 2023, which has claimed over 260 lives. With Manipur currently under President’s Rule, the JAC has warned of continued and possibly escalated agitation if its demands are not urgently addressed by the authorities.