Woman’s body found in Churachandpur amid unrest, arms haul in Manipur

Churachandpur/Imphal, Apr 14: The body of an unidentified woman was recovered from the outskirts of Muolvaiphei village under Saikot Sub-Division in Churachandpur late on Monday night, prompting suspicion of foul play amid the already tense law and order situation in Manipur.

According to police sources, information about the incident was received around 11.30 pm on April 13 from the Secretary of the Muolvaiphei Village Authority. A police team immediately rushed to the spot and found the body lying in a deserted area.

An inquest was conducted at the site after completing all procedural formalities in the presence of relevant authorities.

A case has been registered under FIR No. 04(04)2026 WPS CCP under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The District Magistrate of Churachandpur has been informed, and an Executive Magistrate has been requested to oversee the inquest proceedings.

The body has been shifted to the District Hospital morgue in Churachandpur for post-mortem.

Police have initiated further investigation to establish the identity of the deceased and the circumstances leading to her death.

The incident comes against the backdrop of continuing unrest across the state.

While curfew restrictions were relaxed from 5 am to 5 pm on April 14 in certain areas as per orders issued by the respective District Magistrates, mobile internet services remain suspended, reflecting the fragile situation.

Educational institutions across the valley have remained shut since April 7 following the Bishnupur mortar blast incident, which triggered widespread protests.

The prolonged closure has disrupted academic activities and added to growing public frustration.

Protests showed no signs of abating on April 13, with fresh reports of road blockades emerging from Moirang, affecting movement and daily life.

(AT Photo)

In Imphal East, a large torch rally (see above picture) was held at Nongpok Keithelmambi, where residents marched through the area raising slogans and demanding action over recent violence.

Meanwhile, security forces have intensified operations across fringe and vulnerable areas, leading to multiple arrests and recovery of arms and ammunition.

Two individuals were arrested from Thoubal district on April 13 for their alleged links with the proscribed KCP (Ibungo Ngangom) group.

The accused have been identified as Elangbam Surjit Singh, a Havildar attached to Kakching CDO, and Maibam Ronaldo.

A service pistol along with 10 rounds of 9 mm ammunition was seized from Singh, raising concerns over the involvement of serving personnel in insurgent activities.

In a separate operation, Manipur Police, with assistance from Assam Police, apprehended an active RPF/PLA cadre, identified as Hodam Romen Singh alias Naobi (39), from Rupnagar under Lanka Police Station in Assam’s Hojai district.

A resident of Jiribam, he is reportedly involved in extortion and is a co-accused in a case registered at Jiribam Police Station.

Security forces also continued anti-insurgency operations in hill districts. On April 13, four bunkers (see image below) were destroyed in Mongkot Chepu village under Litan Police Station in Ukhrul district, where 35 empty cases were recovered.

(AT Photo)

Earlier, on April 11, a major cache of arms and explosives was seized from the BP 115 area under Chassad Police Station in Kamjong district.

The recovery included two AK-47 rifles with magazines, a .22 rifle, 16 mortar bombs, six RPG rounds, five grenades, 461 live rounds of assorted calibres, and 14 12-bore cartridges.

The continuing protests, restrictions, and security operations underline the volatile situation in Manipur, even as authorities attempt to restore normalcy.