Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday declared Kuki tribe militants responsible for the recent attacks on unarmed civilians in the state and called them “terrorists”. when pressed by the media.
citing sources ndtvSecurity forces have been battling armed groups for more than eight hours in several areas of the state affected by caste violence. The Chief Minister said that operations are being carried out in Litanpokpi, Serau, Sugnu, Yenangpokpi and Trobung with the help of the Jat Regiment of the Indian Army.
“A large number of Kuki terrorists in combat dress were eliminated, besides the Jat Regiment also apprehended several persons associated with the group,” Singh said, adding, “Kuki terrorists are terrorists.”
Singh said the Kuki militants were using heavy weapons like two-inch mortars and helicopter surveillance.
Addressing the media at his Secretariat in Imphal, the Chief Minister strongly condemned the use of sophisticated weapons, including M16 rifles, AK-47s and snipers, to target unarmed civilians. Describing their actions as “terrorist acts”, he stressed the government’s commitment to neutralizing this threat.
The clashes broke out after the army launched a search operation arming communities to establish peace. Singh claimed that the clash was not between rival communities but between Kuki militants and security forces.
The house of BJP MLA Khwairakpam Raghumani Singh at Uripok in Imphal West was ransacked and two of his vehicles were torched, a top security official said. PTI, The official also said that early morning clashes broke out at several places in various districts around the Imphal Valley.
“As per our information, firing has been reported from Sugnu in Kakching, Kangvi in Churachandpur, Kangchup in Imphal West, Sagolmang in Imphal East, Nungoipokpi in Bishenpur, Khurkhul in Imphal West and YKPI in Kangpokpi,” the official said.
The official further said that new roadblocks have cropped up in areas where women were working and there was an unconfirmed report of a Meitei group looting weapons from the Kakching police station.
‘Identification of extra sensitive sites’
The CM further said that to ensure the security of the area, the state government has identified additional vulnerable spots in the peripheral areas of the valley and has initiated deployment of adequate security forces. Security measures were earlier focused on 38 identified sensitive areas.
Responding to allegations that security forces faced restrictions in some areas, Singh, who also holds the portfolio of home minister, said the forces were working under the direct jurisdiction of the state home department. He said that the State has sufficient number of well-trained personnel, and there is no restriction on their operation in the territory of the State.
Asserting that anyone attempting to undermine Manipur’s integrity would be treated as an “enemy of the state”, Singh reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to eliminate Kuki “terrorists” from Manipur. He also urged the public to refrain from getting involved in the conflict and allow the security forces to carry out their operations.
The CM also called for unity among Manipur’s 34 to 35 ethnic groups and sought their support and encouragement in the government’s mission to quell the insurgency.
Caste clashes that have claimed over 75 lives first broke out in the state after a ‘tribal solidarity march’ was held in the hill districts on May 3, protesting the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status Was. The violence was preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki residents from reserved forest land, which led to several small agitations.
Around 140 columns of the Army and Assam Rifles, comprising over 10,000 personnel, besides personnel of other paramilitary forces, were deployed to bring back normalcy in the northeastern state. Meites constitute about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and mostly live in the Imphal Valley. The tribal Nagas and Kukis constitute 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.
(With PTI inputs)