CRPF Head Constable Killed in Manipur: A Tale of Unrest and Violence

Manipur, India - Purnima Saini** and her husband **Arup Saini**, a CRPF head constable stationed in Manipur, had their last discussion over the phone in the late hours of Friday. The conversation ended suddenly owing to severe rain for the couple, who are parents of two children under six.

An hour passed as Purnima listened to her husband's anguished groan. Suddenly, she received a second phone call, telling her that her husband had been shot and was about to die.

Arup Saini, 39, was one of the two CRPF men killed by suspected Kuki militants at Naranseina in Manipur’s Bishnupur district. This incident is the latest in a series of violent events that have underscored the Centre and the state government’s poor handling of the situation.

The other man killed in the attack, which took place amid a storm, was sub-inspector **N. Sarkar**, 55, from Assam. Inspector Jadav Das and constable Aftab Hussain were injured.

Arup had been transferred from Srinagar to BJP-ruled Manipur last month, where ethnic violence between the Hindu Meiteis and Christian Kuki-Zo has since May 3 last year killed at least 227 people and displaced 60,000.

Swarup, Arup's younger brother, conveyed his sorrow and annoyance at the inability of the federal and state governments to establish peace in Manipur. He wondered who would step up to take care of the family in the wake of his brother's death.

During a rally in Ushagram, Asansol, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee blasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP for not being able to bring back normality in Manipur.

Arup’s body reached Calcutta in the evening and was taken to the office of the Bengal IG of the CRPF. It is expected to reach Bankura by early Sunday morning.

The militant attack took place along the border of Meitei-majority Bishnupur district and Kuki-Zo-majority Churachandpur district. State security adviser Kuldiep Singh reported that this was the first time the forces had been attacked.