The situation in conflict-ridden Manipur is once again heating up. A fierce clash is occurring between Kuki and Meitei militants near the border of East Imphal and Kangpokpi districts. Since last Tuesday, there has been ongoing violence between both sides throughout the region. The conflict has progressively escalated since Thursday. Police and security personnel are present at the scene.
Many people have been injured in the clashes that have continued from yesterday until now, including a police commando and a journalist. Among the injured is an elderly person and a member of the Meitei village defense force. The injured journalist works as a video journalist for a local portal called ‘Impact TV’. Terrified residents are fleeing their villages.
The central security forces obstructed the Manipur police from reaching the incident site. Subsequently, an angry mob blocked the team of central security forces. The situation in Manipur is still not calm, with new outbreaks of violence occurring in various places. In the midst of this, there was an attack on ordinary citizens and security forces in the Imphal East district. While there has been a strong reaction to this attack, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has expressed severe condemnation of the incident.
It is important to note that several civilians and security personnel were injured in the gunfire involving armed individuals in the Chanachabi and Thamnapokpi villages of Imphal East district during the violent incident. In response to the renewed outbreak of violence, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has called for peace and unity, stating that all necessary measures are being taken to address the situation. He mentioned that adequate security forces have been deployed to the affected areas and that the injured individuals are receiving the necessary medical assistance.
In a Facebook post, N. Biren Singh condemned the indiscriminate shooting by militants in Chandel and Thamnapokpi in Imphal East, which resulted in injuries to civilians and security personnel. He described this cowardly and provocative attack on the lives of innocent people as an assault on peace and harmony. The post stated, “Adequate security personnel have been deployed to the affected areas. The injured are receiving necessary medical assistance, and the government is calling for calm and unity in the face of such challenges.”
When dealing with this situation, there needs to be proper coordination and understanding between the central forces and the state police. On the other hand, on Friday, a joint team of Manipur police, Assam Rifles, the Forest Department, and the executive magistrate destroyed 7 acres of poppy cultivation in the T. Langhoimol area of Churachandpur district. An FIR has been filed in this regard, and efforts are underway to identify and arrest the farmers involved. The security forces are continuing search operations in the border and sensitive areas of the hilly and valley districts.
Traffic of essential goods has been ensured through National Highway 37 and National Highway 2, with 115 and 326 vehicles respectively. The Manipur Police have stated that strict security measures have been implemented at all sensitive locations, and security convoys have been provided in sensitive areas to ensure the safe movement of vehicles. A total of 108 check posts have been established across various districts in Manipur.
