Situation worsens in Manipur, RAF called to control the situation, internet closed till 15 September

The situation in Manipur is worsening once again. RAF has been called in with riot control vehicles to control the situation. The protesters have blocked the roads and forced the police to retreat. There is continuous stone pelting. The police from the other side has also fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Internet has also been shut down in entire Manipur till 15 September.

New round of violence in Manipur

Since the first week of September, Manipur is witnessing the same form of violence that was seen in the months of July and August in 2023. From aerial bombardment by drones to launching RPGs and the use of sophisticated weapons have made the situation sensitive. After the killings in the valley, a ‘public emergency’ has been declared by the Coordinating Committee.

COCOMI (Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity) has issued a stern ultimatum, demanding concrete action from the Indian armed forces to deal with the crisis within five days. It says that failing this, harsh steps will be taken by the people to protect themselves and the indigenous population, including the expulsion of central forces from Manipur.

Army deployed anti-drone systems

The period of violence started in Manipur from 3 May 2023. But even after 16 months, peace has not been restored in the state. 5 people died in the latest violence in Jiribam district on Saturday. The seriousness of the situation in Manipur can be gauged from the fact that both the communities involved in the violence there now have weapons that are usually used in war. The army is so helpless that they have had to deploy anti-drone systems. People have built bunkers in the mountains and valleys.

Why is the violence not stopping?

This entire fight is between two ethnic groups, Kuki and Meitei. Most of the Meitei community people live in the valley while the Kuki community people live in the mountains. After the violence, these two communities have almost stopped visiting each other’s places. This separation is also a big reason for the violence not stopping.

Due to the different locations of both, the entire area has turned into a border. According to the report, both have built safe bunkers for themselves. Both have a large amount of weapons. Due to which, whenever they get a chance, they attack each other and then hide in the bunker. Due to the valley and hills, it is difficult to stop them.

200 dead so far

More than 200 people have been killed in Manipur since ethnic violence broke out on May 3 last year following a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ held in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The Meitei people constitute about 53 percent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal valley, while the tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 percent and live mainly in the hill districts. Due to this violence, thousands of people are forced to live in relief camps.