Imphal, In a tragic incident echoing tactics reported in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and other turbulent regions of India, a civilian was killed in Manipur after being hit by a vehicle belonging to the Indian army.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the event unfolded in the Senapati District Council area, where 21-year-old Mahaingam Horam was struck by a 16th Assam Rifles army vehicle, leading to his immediate death at the site. The incident has drawn severe criticism, especially since Horam had just become a father the day before the accident, and the army vehicle did not stop to assist but instead continued towards Mao.

The death of Horam has ignited public fury in the region, with many gathering at the local police station to protest against the army’s actions by chanting anti-army slogans. This incident has further spotlighted the Indian army’s controversial use of force in Manipur, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and other conflict zones within India.

Critics argue that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which offers broad legal immunity to Indian forces in designated conflict areas, has facilitated a pattern of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and torture. The recent fatality in Manipur underscores the urgent need for international scrutiny and intervention concerning the conduct of Indian security forces in these regions.