Ima Market vendors have raised questions over the reported silence of Manipur BJP president A Sharda Devi following the Nongshum killings, demanding accountability and calling for her resignation. The demand reflects growing public anger over violence in Manipur and the response of political leaders to attacks that have intensified concerns about security and justice in the state.
The issue has placed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under renewed scrutiny, with questions emerging over whether political leaders are responding consistently to incidents of violence and the concerns of affected communities.
Ima Market vendors question BJP leadership over the killings
The demand comes amid renewed tensions following a deadly attack on civilians near Nongshum and Khongbal Thangkhul along the boundary between Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts on October 19.
According to local media reports, armed assailants opened fire on villagers who had gone to the hills to collect firewood. Three civilians were reported killed, while at least three others sustained injuries. The victims were reportedly from Nongshum and Uyumpok, and the attack triggered anger among residents already concerned about civilian safety.
The incident has intensified questions about the government’s ability to protect people living in vulnerable areas. The demands directed at BJP state president A Sharda Devi add a political dimension to the public reaction, as critics seek answers from party leaders over their response to the latest violence.
Nongshum killings trigger fresh anger in Manipur
The attack has renewed concerns about security along the Imphal East–Kangpokpi district boundary, where civilians remain vulnerable while accessing forests and nearby areas for daily needs.
Following the shooting, residents brought the bodies of two victims to the entrance of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh’s official residence in Imphal to express their anger and demand intervention. Police subsequently took custody of the bodies and transported them to the mortuary at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences.
Road blockades and protests also reflected growing frustration over repeated attacks on civilians. The incident has once again placed pressure on the state administration to strengthen security arrangements and ensure that those responsible are identified and brought to justice.
The precise circumstances surrounding the attack and the identities of those responsible remain matters for investigation. Allegations concerning the perpetrators should be established through a credible inquiry.
Why vendors are demanding political accountability
The controversy over the Ima Market vendors and their demand for the BJP chief’s resignation centres on political accountability and the need for leaders to respond publicly to civilian deaths.
Khwairamband Ima Keithel, popularly known as Ima Market, is a historic commercial centre in Imphal where women play a central role in the state’s economy and public life. The market has also served as a venue for demonstrations on major political, social and security concerns affecting Manipur.
Women vendors have previously raised demands relating to the state’s prolonged unrest, civilian protection and government action. Their involvement in public campaigns reflects the importance of community voices in pressing authorities to address continuing insecurity.
The current demand places the spotlight on whether political representatives are communicating adequately with residents who fear further attacks. For those seeking accountability, public statements, transparent investigations and concrete security measures are important alongside expressions of condemnation.
However, the specific statements made by individual vendors and the circumstances of their resignation demand should be attributed to verified reporting rather than assumed.
Government reviews security after fresh violence
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh condemned the killings on October 19 and reviewed the wider security situation following incidents in Thoubal and Imphal East districts.
The review meeting at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat included Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, senior state officials, police leadership and representatives of security agencies, including the Army, Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force and Border Security Force.
The chief minister directed officials to reinforce security in vulnerable areas. He also visited injured civilians at Raj Medicity Hospital and met their families, instructing doctors to ensure appropriate treatment and assuring them that the state government would cover the medical expenses.
These measures indicate an official response to the immediate crisis. However, residents’ concerns highlight the need to assess whether security arrangements can prevent further attacks and protect civilians travelling to forests and other areas for their livelihoods.
Calls for justice grow amid continuing uncertainty
The latest killings have added to the wider challenges facing Manipur, where recurring violence continues to undermine confidence in normalcy and public safety. Demands for accountability are likely to remain central as residents seek effective protection, transparent investigations and action against those responsible.
For the BJP leadership, the controversy underscores the importance of addressing public concerns directly. Questions over political silence and demands for resignation cannot substitute for a thorough investigation, but they reflect the public’s expectation that elected representatives and party leaders respond to serious security failures.
As the situation develops, the focus will remain on the investigation into the Nongshum attack, the treatment and recovery of injured civilians, and the implementation of stronger security measures. Above all, residents will expect authorities to turn assurances into meaningful protection and ensure that the victims and their families receive justice.
Meghalaya’s Reble Gets Major Spotlight at Weverse Con Festival India 2027