The Centre would send more than 10,000 additional soldiers to Manipur, where ethnic violence has been spiraling out of control, thereby raising the total number of central force companies in the State to 288. This was announced in Imphal by Manipur’s Chief Security Adviser Kuldiep Singh during a press conference.
The fresh deployment of 90 companies, which translate to a total of about 10,800 personnel, shall enhance security and secure civilian lives and property. Singh further reported that a considerable proportion of the forces has already reached Imphal, and the process is on for their tactical deployment in the vulnerable areas.
Since the violence broke out in May 2023, a minimum of 258 lives have been taken away, meaning the situation is grave and urgent. Singh has said that comprehensive arrangements will be made along with establishing new coordination cells and joint control rooms in every district to maintain better management of security.
As many as 3,000 weapons looted from police armories during the violence between the Meitei community and Kuki tribes have been recovered by the security forces so far. Singh sought to bring into relief the coordination among the police, CRPF, BSF, Army, Assam Rifles, ITBP, and Sashastra Seema Bal acting in concert in the face of the crisis. The operations are in full swing, and a fresh SOP is going to be enforced for safeguarding fringe areas and national highways.
The incidents of violence have only increased after a certain tragic incident that took place on November 7, in which a woman from the Hmar tribe was reportedly killed by suspected Meitei militants in Zairawn village, Jiribam. In retaliation, Kuki militants attacked on November 11 and thereby faced the deadly encounter with CRPF with several casualties on both sides, including two senior citizens from the Meitei community. The bodies of six hostages, including an infant, were recovered later from a river, pointing to the grave effect of continued violence.
