Manipur has witnessed several violent incidents in the last several months. The Kukis and Naga tribes launched a protest on May 3 2023 against the possible extension of their benefits to the Meiteis.
What appeared to be a straight forward protest turned violent and despite the government taking all possible steps, the violence never died down. Over a period of time it became clear that there were vested interests who were trying to stall peace and ensure that no measures taken by the government would work.
The violence was so bad that nearly 250 people lost their lives and 60,000 were uprooted in Manipur since May last year. Clashes erupted not just over government grants and quotas in jobs and education, but due to communal violence as well.
While the madness showed no signs of dying down, Biren Singh resigned as chief minister and this led to the imposition of President’s rule. Since its imposition on February 14, the security forces have managed to crackdown on several gangs, cartels and vested interests who were fuelling the violence.
Operation All Out
An official explained to Organiser that President’s rule at times becomes absolutely necessary when there are external factors at play. Take the case of J&K he said. Following the abrogation of Article 370, President’s rule was in place and during this period, the forces achieved plenty of success.
Top terror commanders had been eliminated, and separatism was finished. In J&K, the external factor is Pakistan, and its deep state ensure that terror and separatism thrived. Further due to pressure from political parties, the forces were not able to operate freely. Once there was no political interference, the forces got a free hand and this helped in the long run. Further there was seamless coordination between the Indian Army and the local police which also ensured the success of the operations.
One could expect something similar in Manipur as well. The President’s rule would mean that the forces have a free hand to operate. Further the coordination between the local police and central forces would be seamless. The idea of imposting President’s rule was to ensure that the violence is curtailed and all actors fuelling this are brought under control.
It has been hardly five days since the imposition of President’s rule. One can already witness on the ground the kind of results that the forces have been achieving. Investigations showed that one of the main actors fuelling the violence was the extortion mafia. Money was being extorted so that the anti-national elements could procure arms and ammunition. Security officials have identified several extortion cartels and operations against them would be intensified in the days to come. Inn fact 60 persons associated with extortion networks and 250 cadres indulging in terror acts have already been arrested.
Such action was much needed and voices from the political circles too have expressed confidence that under President’s rule, normalcy would be restored soon and a government will be in place soon.
High-profile crackdown
Since the past week, Manipur has been witnessing several high-profile security operations aimed at curbing illegal acts. Acres of poppy fields have been destroyed by the security forces and huge amounts of cash has been seized.
A routine check had been conducted at the Sangai University near Kaparang village during which the forces arrested Lamkhogin Dimngel from Kangchup Patjang, Kangpokpi District.
The forces recovered unaccounted cash to the tune of Rs 34,20,200, 24 grams of brown sugar which were hidden in soap dishes, three mobile phones and one live round of an unknown caliber.
Further the security forces also destroyed 10 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in the Khudei Laipham Hill range. The operation was aided by the forest officials of the state.
However the biggest operation was the one involving the insurgent groups. Shamurailatpam Bipin Sharma, an active member of the banned Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF)/People’s Liberation Army (PLA) involved in a major extortion racket was arrested in Imphal East. Two more insurgents, Chongtham Manglemjao Meitei, the self-styled chairman of KCP (KK Nganba), and another cadre, Laishram Manglemba Singh, were arrested.
During a crackdown on the insurgents in Khullen village, the forces seized, an HK Automatic Rifle with magazine, three country-made Pull Mechanism Rifles, one Single Barrel Bolt Action Rifle, one.32 Pistol with magazine, one .22 Pistol with magazine one Mortar (Pumpi), five Mortar Bombs (Pumpi), Kenwood Motorola Handset and three rounds of 7.62 mm and four rounds of 9 mm Sniper ammunition.
Heightened security
To enhance security, the forces have installed 113 nakas/checkpoints, security cover has been provided for 252 vehicles on NH-2 and 218 vehicles on NH-37 which are transporting essential goods. Further security has ben deposed at sensitive stretches.
The authorities say that there would no stop to the security measures in the state unless peace is fully restored. The crackdown on illegal activities, will continue along with search operations.
The state will remain on high alert until the operations are complete and peace is fully restored in Manipur.
