#मणिपूर मध्ये हिंसाचार थांबवण्यात आम जनतेचे रक्षण करण्यामध्ये #भारतीय सै...

The tasks for the Army columns can be varied, from dispersing unlawful assembly or mob control, but can transcend to preventing inter-community violence in urban areas, looting, and arson. The Army columns, more often than not arriving in the area of operation from outside, establish liaison and obtain situational guidance from local administration and police. Each situation is chalk and cheese and dynamics vary greatly, even at topographical levels.

Coming to the recent situation, Manipur is a multi-ethnic border state that has witnessed 50-year old insurgency, with the Meitei people around 53%, various Naga ethnic groups 24% and various Kuki/Zomi tribes (Chin-Kuki-Mizo) at 16%. Manipur is peculiar with part State under Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), and part de-notified. AFSPA, as is well known, is an enabling act that empowers Security Forces to operate in insurgency affected areas. In Manipur, 19 sensitive police stations areas falling under seven districts of the state have been de-notified by Disturbed Areas Act and AFSFA. It includes eight police stations from Imphal West, four police stations from Imphal East, three police stations from Bishnupur, entire Thoubal, Kakching, Jiribam and Leimakhong in Kandpokpi. These areas were de-notified from AFSPA due to improvement in security situation in the state.

The law and order situation in Manipur turned tense on 03 May 2023 due to clashes between Kuki & Meitei communities. All-Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur (ATSUM), of Kuki ethnicity on 03 May, 2023, organised a “Tribal Solidarity March” called “Come now let us reason together,” in all hill districts of Manipur. It was endorsed by many others organisations. Insurgent groups under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact with the Government of India claimed that they were not involved in the violence.

In response to the requisition received from State administration, 17 columns of Army and Assam Rifles (AR) were deployed immediately on night of 03 May. With the developing situation the number has gone up to 147 columns. This could easily have been one of the largest deployments of the Army and AR ever in aid to civil authorities for maintenance of law and order, and arguably, one of the toughest ones! The flash points continue to be the fringe areas of Churachandpur, Bhishnupur, Kangpokpi and Imphal Valley where mixed population co-exists. The security situation remained fragile with multiple incidents of violence. More than 4000 weapons and 5 lakh rounds of ammunition have been looted from police and the ‘Suspension of Operations’ camps, though some have been returned following the call by the Home Minister. Post the visit of the Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, the violence did reduce considerably. As per media reports 953 arms, 13,351 rounds of ammunition and 223 bombs have been recovered.

In ensuing operations, columns of Army and AR have responded to various contingencies, including intervention in community clashes, prevention of vandalism and arson, protection to civilians, dispersal of mob and assisting civil administration to restore law and order in the state. In addition, over 36,000 internally displaced civilians (Kukis & Meiteis) have been provided assistance. The Army and AR also dominated the fringe areas, especially hugging the Imphal Valley, to ensure safety of minority pockets, and ensuring NH-2 and NH-37to Imphal Valley and adjoining Hill areas are kept open. Regular joint inspections of ‘Suspension of Operation’ camps (Kukis) are being carried out, with an attempt to persuade cadres to return to camps along with weapons and ammunition.