Ongoing violence in Manipur, the Indian Army issues an urgent appeal for support and understanding. Discover the efforts made to maintain peace and prevent further unrest in the region.
The Indian Army claimed that women activists were purposefully blocking roads and interfering with security forces’ activities amid ongoing unrest in the Manipur violence. The Army pleaded with citizens to assist them in bringing peace to the state in the northeast.
The Army’s Spears Corps released a video on Twitter on Monday, claiming that such unjustified meddling hinders the Security Forces’ ability to respond quickly.
“Women activists in Manipur are purposefully obstructing traffic and interfering with security forces’ operations. Such unjustified intervention hinders security forces’ ability to act quickly in dire situations to protect people and property. All demographic groups are urged by the Indian Army to support our efforts to bring about peace. Help us help Manipur,” the Indian Army tweeted.
The Army made the announcement two days after engaging in a standoff with a group of women-led villagers in Imphal East’s Itham hamlet that ultimately resulted in the release of 12 insurgents who were holed up there.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with top cabinet members after official trips to Egypt and the US, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri. They reportedly spoke about the Manipur violence situation during their discussion, according to PTI.
After a “Tribal Solidarity March” was arranged in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s quest for Scheduled Tribe (ST) designation, fighting between ethnic groups first started on May 3. The dispute between the Meitei and Kuki communities in the northeastern state has already cost more than 100 lives.
The Imphal Valley is home to the bulk of Meiteis, who make up about 53% of Manipur’s population. The Naga and Kuki tribes, who reside in the hill districts, make up an additional 40% of the population.
Despite the Indian Army’s repeated pleas, the mob refused to disperse, leading to the release of arrested militants to maintain peace and prevent further violence. The officials took strict measures by cordoning off the area and confiscating all weapons from the crowd.
The women of Manipur have demonstrated their ability to take matters into their own hands before. In a previous incident, they halted a team from the CBI who were heading to the Manipur Police Academy, where reports of missing armory and weapons pointed towards militants involved in the state’s communal violence.
