The people in Manipur are facing a difficult situation due to the ongoing ethnic violence in the state. Prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed, and banking facilities have been affected due to the suspension of internet services. The suspension of mobile internet services has also affected government and non-government services, leaving financial institutions without money.
The suspension of mobile internet services has badly affected important government and non-government services since May 3, when Manipur witnessed unprecedented violent clashes, attacks, counter-attacks, and arsoning of houses, vehicles, and government and private properties in more than 10 districts during and after the ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ called by the All Tribal Students’ Union of Manipur (ATSUM) to oppose the demand for inclusion of the Meitei community in the ST category.
The transport fuel crisis has also put commuters in trouble. The state government authorities are supplying petrol and diesel to the two-wheeler and vehicle owners in a limited quantity. The curfew in 11 districts is being relaxed for several hours every day in the daytime, allowing people to procure food and various other essential items.
Officials in Imphal have reported that sporadic incidents of violence and attacks are taking place in certain districts almost every day. In Churachandpur district, suspected Kuki militants burned down a few vacant houses on Saturday night. Residents of these houses are now living in relief camps.
Defence sources said that a joint Army and Assam Rifles area domination patrol party was fired upon by a group of unidentified armed miscreants at the forest area near Lailampat in Churachandpur district on Saturday. Two Assam Rifles personnel who sustained gunshot wounds were immediately taken to hospitals. When the security personnel retaliated, the armed miscreants fled from the area.
In another incident at Sipijang under Senapati district on Saturday, the area domination patrol team of Assam Rifles was fired upon by a group of unidentified armed miscreants from the jungle. Following an effective retaliation, the miscreants ran away, and two rifles and some ammunition were recovered from the area.
Meanwhile, Manipur government’s security advisor Kuldiep Singh said that during an inspection, some cadres and arms were found missing in some camps, where the Kuki militants under the ‘Suspension of Operation’ agreement have been staying. Singh said that since May 3, 71 people have died, among which 41 fell prey to the ethnic violence, while others died due to various other causes, including drug overdoses. A total of 339 cases of attack and arsoning have been registered.
After the ethnic violence broke out on May 3, the miscreants and the agitators snatched 1,041 arms and 7,460 pieces of ammunition from the security forces. So far, 423 arms and 6,697 ammunition have been recovered from them, Singh said.
The central forces, including the Army, are undertaking round-the-clock aerial surveillance using drones and military choppers. The Army’s three-pronged domination strategy in Manipur is helping the state return to normalcy. The Army is leaving no stone unturned in monitoring the troubled areas, not only in the hinterland but also along the India-Myanmar border, a defence spokesman said.
The situation in Manipur remains tense, with ethnic clashes and violence continuing to disrupt the daily lives of people. The government has assured the citizens that they are taking all necessary steps to bring normalcy back to the state.
