Security personnel patrol a village in Manipur.
Guwahati/Imphal: In view of the worsening security situation in Manipur, the Union home ministry has dispatched an additional 20 companies of central armed police forces (CAPFs) to the state to control the violence. This deployment, which includes 15 companies from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) from Assam and five from the Border Security Force (BSF) from Tripura, aims to stabilize law and order in the region amid ongoing ethnic tensions.
The Union home ministry has also declared six more areas in five districts under the jurisdiction of six police stations as “disturbed”, including three areas in the Imphal valley. They are Sekmai and Lamsang in Imphal West, Lamlai in Imphal East, Jiribam in Jiribam, Leimakhong in Kangpokpi, and Moirang in Bishnupur.
Now, the Manipur government will put the areas under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), giving special rights to the Indian Army and CAPFs deployed to maintain security there.
It may be recalled that the Manipur government had extended the AFSPA for an additional six months starting October 1 this year, as India Sentinels had reported in September. At that time, the extension excluded 19 police station areas within the Imphal valley and a region bordering Assam.
Recent incidents have heightened concerns, particularly following a violent encounter in the Jiribam district. On November 11, a fierce gunfight between CRPF personnel and suspected Kuki militants resulted in the deaths of at least 11 Kukis, as India Sentinels had reported. The clash began when suspected militants launched an attack on a police station and a nearby CRPF camp, prompting a robust response from security forces. Reports indicate that two CRPF personnel were injured during this confrontation, with one in critical condition.
However, Kuki-Zo Council described the deceased as “Kuki-Zo village volunteers” and demanded thorough investigations into the incident. The Kuki group had also called for a dawn-to-dusk shutdown of Kuki-majority areas of Manipur as a mark of protest against the killings.
The altercation was part of a series of violent events that have plagued Manipur since early November, including the killing of civilians and the burning of properties by armed groups.
The shutdown disrupted normal life across several districts, with businesses and educational institutions closed as a show of solidarity against the escalating violence. The unrest has been exacerbated by retaliatory attacks between the Meitei and Kuki communities, leading to significant casualties since clashes began in May 2023 over ethnic disputes regarding inclusion of the Meitei community in the list of India’s scheduled tribes.
The recent spike in violence can be traced back to several tragic incidents, including the brutal killing of a Hmar tribal woman on November 7 and subsequent attacks on civilians from both communities. These events have prompted local leaders and organizations to call for immediate government intervention and dialogue to restore peace.
In light of these developments, the Centre has indicated that the deployment of additional CAPF units will be maintained until at least November 30, with potential extensions depending on the situation’s evolution. The total number of CAPF units currently stationed in Manipur now stands at 218, which reflects the current security situation in the state struggling to cope with the ongoing ethnic strife.
As tensions remain high, local authorities are urging for calm while conducting investigations into recent incidents. The hope is that increased security presence will help mitigate further violence and facilitate a return to normalcy in this troubled region.
