Amit Shah cancels Maharashtra rallies amid escalating violence in Manipur

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has canceled his scheduled election rallies in Maharashtra due to the deteriorating situation in Manipur, where violent protests have erupted following the killing of six civilians, including three women and children, in Jiribam district. Shah has returned to Delhi to address the escalating tensions in the northeastern state.

The unrest in Manipur has intensified since Saturday, with mobs attacking and setting fire to the residences of political leaders, including those of BJP and Congress legislators. Among the targets were the homes of PWD Minister Govindas Konthoujam in Ningthoukhong, BJP MLA Y Radheshyam in Hiyanglam, BJP MLA Paonam Brojen in Thoubal district, and Congress MLA Th Lokeshwar in Imphal East. Police confirmed that while the properties were partially burnt, the legislators and their families were not present during the attacks.

An indefinite curfew has been imposed across affected areas to curb further violence. Despite the curfew, angry protesters have continued to clash with security forces, vandalizing properties and blocking roads. In a particularly tense moment, an enraged mob attempted to storm the ancestral home of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh in Luwangshangbam, Imphal East. Security forces, including personnel from the Assam Rifles and Border Security Force (BSF), deployed tear gas shells and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd, stopping them within 200 meters of the CM’s residence.

Protesters have also obstructed major roads by burning tyres and placing iron rods, severely disrupting movement in the region. Officials noted that the protests were sparked by outrage over the killings in Jiribam district, with agitators demanding accountability and justice for the victims.

The violence in Manipur comes at a critical time, as Shah was scheduled to address several election rallies in Maharashtra ahead of the assembly polls on November 20. With the unrest showing no signs of abating, the Home Minister’s priority has shifted to stabilizing the situation in Manipur.

The BJP has condemned the violence and called for calm, emphasizing the need for dialogue and cooperation to resolve the crisis. Meanwhile, opposition parties have criticized the government for its failure to prevent the violence, further heightening political tensions.