This is the 16th month of increasing violence in Manipur, and we revisit that headline with another brutal incident. Four suspected militants and a civilian died in an attack on Jiri Bam district early Saturday, highlighting the increasing unrest there.
Deadly Attack Flares Tensions
An Assam-Manipur border area violent attack increased tension among people in Mongbung. The unidentified attackers targeted 63-year-old Kulchandra in his home and in front of his wife. The incident saw clashes between militants and civilians and has triggered high tension in the area. Security forces have been deployed to quell the unrest. In a subsequent operation by the Manipur Police, three bodies believed to be those of the suspected militants were discovered. The investigation is ongoing.
Allegations and political controversy
The killing has triggered a political storm with demands for the resignation of Manipur Chief Minister N Birendra Singh. An audio clip of the Chief Minister instigating to carry out a riot is doing the rounds. Possible trigger behind the latest unrests, as many militant outfits have blamed these video clips for widespread agitations in Manipur. Taking serious note of the deteriorating law and order situation, Chief Minister Singh convened an urgent cabinet meeting in this regard.
Arms procurement and security issues
An alarming development in the ongoing conflict is the advanced weapons currently being used by armed groups. Including drones and rocket launchers. This increase in weapons has raised serious concerns about the source of these military-grade weapons. On September 6, a joint operation by the Army and Manipur Police revealed a large cache of weapons in sensitive areas in Kangpokpi District and East Imphal.
Operations revealed that in May extremist groups looted important assets. Including Manipur Police Training Centre. Seven Indian Reserve Battalions and eight Manipur Rifles. The theft yielded approximately 4,537 weapons and 632,000 rounds of ammunition, which are said to have been used in the ongoing attack. Armed robbery is not a new phenomenon. There are also efforts to disarm the military.
Current Situation and Future Outlook
The state has retaliated with anti-drone systems and more security personnel against the growing violence. The situation remains grim despite that. The conflict has taken over 200 lives, with many others being displaced into relief camps.
As the violence endures, the success of the government’s and security forces’ initiatives to restore peace remains unclear. The persistent crisis in Manipur emphasizes the detailed nature of the conflict and the substantial obstacles encountered in achieving a lasting resolution. It is evident that addressing both the immediate violence and the underlying issues fueling the conflict is essential for restoring stability to the region.
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