Manipur crisis: Center sends 20,000 paramilitary personnel to Northeastern state

The Center on Friday sent 20 additional contingents of paramilitary forces to Manipur following the recent escalation of violence in the state, according to officials. These 20 companies, comprising 20,000 personnel, were sent to the troubled region days after 50 companies were deployed following a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Kuldiep Singh, security advisor to the Manipur government, said: “Today, we held a security review meeting in which we assessed the security situation in all districts and Imphal city. Officials from the army, police, CRPF, BSF and ITBP are collaboratively addressing the issues arising and taking them to DC of all districts.” “We are discussing with their ‘s and SPs.”

A total of 90 companies comprising 90,000 additional paramilitary personnel have been deployed in the Northeastern state in the last 10 days amid an increase in violent incidents.

The latest wave of violence was sparked on November 7, when a woman from the Hmar community was killed when her house in Zairawn village in Jiribam district was set on fire. Media reports state that at least 16 separate violent incidents took place. Between October 1 and November 18, murders, injuries, arson, and intense gunfights occurred.

According to reports, at least 20 people were killed in Jiribam alone between November 7 and November 18. Since May 3 last year, more than 200 people have been killed and thousands displaced due to ethnic clashes between the Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and the Kuki-Zo groups living in the adjacent hills in the northeastern state.

Rajya Sabha MP from Mizoram, K Vanlalvena, called for the dismissal of the N Biren Singh government and implementation of President’s Rule in Manipur as an immediate measure to stop the violence. He noted that the implementation of the President’s Rule, which allows the Center to comprehensively assess the situation and determine the boundaries of lands occupied by both Meiteis and tribal communities, is crucial for an immediate solution.

Vanlalvena emphasized that the two communities should be governed separately as the division was serious as the mountain tribes could not access the valley and the Meitei were hesitant to enter the hill regions. To achieve a permanent solution, he proposed the creation of new administrative units in the areas occupied by both the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo people.