As many as five Deputy Inspector General (DIG) rank officers, and seven senior superintendent of police (SSP) and SP rank officers of the CRPF have been tasked to coordinate deployment of various security forces in violence-hit Manipur.
The Centre has rushed in about 20 fresh companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), including the CRPF and the BSF, in the wake of the spiralling violence between tribals and the majority Meitei community.
Home Minister Amit Shah cancelled his Karnataka poll-campaign trip on May 5 and focused on talking to authorities in the Centre, Home Ministry and State Governments in the North East, including in Manipur, to ensure peace and tranquillity.
The unprecedented Meitei-Kuki clash had led to the displacement of more than 9,000 people from their villages, sources said.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, on May 5, spoke to his Manipur counterpart N Biren Singh and urged him to take care of the Sikkimese students and citizens staying in the State. A large number of Sikkimese and Gorkhali-speaking students and residents stay in Imphal and other places in Manipur.
The State Governments in Nagaland and Tripura have opened helpline numbers for providing support to residents of respective States in the backdrop of violence. On May 4, six people — all Kukis with bullet injuries had rushed to Nagaland capital Kohima and are undergoing treatment.
Naga legislators of the Manipur Legislative Assembly have appealed to the public to halt all forms of violence immediately. The State Water Resource Minister Awangbow Newmai of NPF made a statement on behalf of the Naga legislators on May 4.
What looks to be a matter of deep concern is that some clashes between Kuki tribals and Meitei Manipuris were reported from Meghalaya’s capital Shillong on May 4.
Meghalaya police have arrested 16 persons belonging to the ethnic Kuki community and Meitei after they indulged in a group fight at Nongrim Hills under Laitumkhrah Police Station at Shillong.
On May 5, the Army said that the situation in Moreh and Kangpokpi areas in Manipur was controlled.
There were also reports that residences of tribals and their business establishments have been targeted and damaged in Imphal.
Analysts say Manipur communities – tribals and non-tribals have been “polarised” over the last few years due to a plethora of reasons and the flashpoint being the recent eviction of villagers from reserve forest land in Churachandpur district.
The drugs and opium business issues have also figured in discussions post-violence.
A few days back, Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s Facebook page carried a message: “These are the people who are destroying our generation. They are destroying our natural forests to plant poppy and further igniting communal issues to carry out the drug smuggling business. 16kg of opium seized in Churachandpur”.
The district is named after the Meitei King Churachand Singh, the Maharaja of Manipur Kingdom.
Home Minister Amit Shah on May 4 spoke to Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh and took stock of the situation after tribal protests against Meitei’s demand for ST status turned violent.
Last month there were reports that three-four legislators were camping in Delhi seeking to meet central leaders.
According to an official statement, military and paramilitary troops were deployed in the area bordering Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts soon after the clashes broke out.
Tribal groups, including Kukis and Nagas in the State are opposing Scheduled Tribes status for Meitei Manipuris.
As the situation worsened, the State Government issued shoot-at-sight orders and opened a crisis-related helpline.
The Manipur violence and Nagas of Manipur backing the anti-Meitei stir has its implications in Nagaland as well. Nagas of Manipur share ethnic affinity with Nagas of Nagaland, and the militant group NSCN-IM was earlier keen for the unification of all Naga contiguous areas.
The stir in Manipur by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) is being supported by different tribal bodies, including the Naga Students Union Chandel, Sadar Hills Tribal Union on Land and Forests, Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong and Tribal Churches Leaders Forum. There is a need for “taking appropriate measures” to collectively protect the tribal interests, says ATSUM.
Whether Meiteis get their demand fulfilled could be debated some other day, but as of now and ‘a pragmatic’ standpoint is that the Nagas of Manipur State are also at crossroads. They should have been more involved and engaged with the demand and issues vis-a-vis’ Nagalim’ and ideally left the issues of Quota or tribal status to Meiteis and the State of Manipur.
But as we often realise, the reality is different. They can ill afford to ignore what can hit them immediately. Analysts in Delhi do not miss these episodes and, as expected, are taking a closer view of things.
