Even as Manipur is battling frequent fresh violences in different areas, police, central forces and civil administration are making all efforts to bring normalcy back to the ethnic violence-hit state.
As the situation remains grim, the Meitei group representatives met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday night seeking the removal of Assam Rifles from Manipur.
Reportedly, Delhi Meitei Coordinating Committee (DMCC) met Singh at his residence and demanded another security force to replace Assam Rifles. The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) collective said that the force is “biased”.
Taking up the matter, the representatives of COCOMI have met Home Minister Amit Shah thrice since ethnic violence broke out in the state in May.
According to police, at least 175 people were killed so far and around 1,000 people were injured. Altogether 4,786 houses were set on fire and 836 religious structures were vandalised as well.
Meanwhile, I.K. Muivah, IGP (Operations), said that 1,359 firearms and 15,050 ammunition were recovered.
During the violence, a large number of arms and ammunition of the police have been allegedly looted by rioters.
Of the 175 dead, 96 bodies bodies remain unclaimed, said the police.
A total of 9,332 cases have been registered and 325 people were arrested.
As the Kuki-Meitei ethnic clash is ongoing in the state, COCOMI spokesperson Khuraijam Athouba said DMCC submitted a memorandum citing the threat from Kuki militant groups. While, the Kuki groups have blamed Meiteis responsible for the violence
“DMCC reiterated that Meitei insurgency groups have been already banned by [Union] MHA [ministry of home affairs] before the year 2000, so necessary legal actions have been taken against them...no action has been taken under the pretext of Suspension of Operations and Kukis militants are firing from hills and farmers are being killed,” Athouba was quoted by Hindustan Times.
While, the Kuki groups have accused Manipur Police of bias and urged the Union government to retain Assam Rifles to restore peace in the state.
