Imphal, the capital of Manipur, witnessed a fresh wave of unrest as a mob confronted the police near the Chief Minister’s office. The incident unfolded as the mob, allegedly led by a local youth group, gathered outside a police station, demanding weapons. Their protest was rooted in frustration over what they perceived as the state government’s inaction following the recent killing of a senior police officer by an insurgent sniper.
The situation took a concerning turn when the mob clashed with security forces and reportedly attempted to surround the 1st Manipur Rifles complex, which is situated close to the Raj Bhavan and Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s office in Imphal West district. Their demand for arms and ammunition triggered a standoff with the police.
To control the mob, security forces resorted to a baton charge initially, but as the crowd continued to press in, they were forced to fire rounds in the air. This attempt to disperse the crowd resulted in injuries to some individuals, according to police sources.
The backdrop to this unrest can be traced back to the killing of senior Manipur Police officer Chingtham Anand by an insurgent sniper. The tragic incident occurred as the officer was overseeing the construction of a helipad in the border town of Moreh. In response to this incident, massive protests have erupted in the valley areas.
Protesters have been calling on the Biren Singh government to deploy additional forces to the border trading town, Moreh. The deployment of Manipur Police personnel in this area has faced opposition from the hill-majority Kuki tribes, escalating tensions.
In recent days, Manipur Police commandos have made arrests of at least ten Myanmar nationals for looting homes of Moreh residents. These residents had left the border town following ethnic clashes between the Kuki tribes and the valley-majority Meiteis that erupted on May 3.
Despite these challenges, a small squad of Manipur Police commandos stationed in Moreh since the May 3 violence is being reinforced. However, roadblocks by miscreants have hindered the process of sending additional police personnel to the border town. As a result, a decision was taken to construct a larger helipad.
In response to the unrest, the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) has called for a 48-hour shutdown in protest against the deployment of additional police commandos in Moreh. The KSO expressed concerns and cited Home Minister Amit Shah’s assurance to withdraw all state forces within three days during his visit to the border town.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) has also raised allegations of police commandos mistreating Moreh residents in the aftermath of the police officer’s killing. They criticized Chief Minister Biren Singh, pointing out disparities in the response to two police officer deaths, including the Moreh incident.
In an effort to address the situation, the Manipur government has recommended the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against an organization known as the World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council (WKZIC). The WKZIC was accused of issuing a statement on October 24, urging “volunteers” in the Kuki-Zo community to take up arms. However, the organization denied making such a statement and criticized the government for being influenced by a “fake statement” designed to tarnish its image.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing protests and concerns about the security and stability in the region.
Sources By Agencies