In a worrying trend, violence and widespread protests have been reported from the streets of ethnic violence-torn Manipur, which has witnessed five killings since April 7. Two children and a BSF jawan were among the casualties, and no arrests have been made in any of the cases so far. The movement of probe teams has been hindered as a result of roadblocks and protests organised by local groups protesting the killings, reports said.
There were reports of locals clashing with security forces on Sunday evening after thousands of people hit the streets at various places in the Manipur valley districts. Security personnel reportedly had to use tear gas to disperse the agitators.
Night rallies were organised at Koirengei and Hatta Golpati in the Imphal East district, the Kakching district, and Mayai Lambi in the Imphal West district. The protesters reportedly clashed with security personnel at Uripok in Imphal West, Khabam Lamkhai and Koirengei in Imphal East, and Kakching town in Kakching, news agency PTI reported.
The protests, under the aegis of the All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO), COCOMI, and others, called for immediate action against alleged Kuki militants operating in the hill districts, as well as the arrest of those responsible for the 7 April bomb attack at Tronglaobi in Bishnupur, which killed two children. The siblings, killed in their sleep, were the children of a BSF jawan.
The Bishnupur–Churachandpur Highway being blocked for about 12 days has not helped the probe, which is being conducted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), The Hindu said in a report. They have not even received any CCTV visuals from the vicinity of the crime scene so far, which are expected to hold crucial clues.
The latest deaths were reported in Ukhrul on 18 April, where two Tangkhul Naga men, including a retired soldier, were killed in a suspected ambush by militants. A BSF constable hailing from West Bengal was shot dead in the second week of April in the vicinity of Mongkot Chepu village. Security forces retaliated by zeroing in on and destroying 21 bunkers in Manipur's Ukhrul district and seized 13 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from the Tengnoupal district.
More central forces being deployed
Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam on Sunday said additional security forces would arrive in the state after the West Bengal elections.
Addressing a press conference, Konthoujam said, "272 companies of CAPF were deployed in the state, including at different routes. However, 88 companies have been withdrawn due to elections in other states. We have been told that another 15 companies will be withdrawn, but after the Chief Minister highlighted the concern to central authorities, the Union Home Ministry said no further companies will be withdrawn. So, 184 companies of CAPF are currently being retained."
"Mine and bulletproof vehicles have already started coming. After the Bengal elections on 23 April and 29 April, all the withdrawn forces, along with additional forces and those adept in counter-insurgency, will arrive in the state," PTI quoted him as saying.
The Home Minister appealed to the people to assist the government, as they are committed to protecting the lives and properties of the people and dealing firmly with armed miscreants who challenge law and order and public tranquillity.