Manipur Tension Escalates: Miscreants set a primary health centre on fire at Borobekra in Jiribam district of Manipur at around 12.50 pm on Wednesday night. The incident took place just 150 metres away from the police post. There is no report of any casualty in this. People of the Kuki community are suspected to be involved in the incident.
On the other hand, there was silence in the capital Imphal yesterday. Curfew continues in Imphal East and West. Internet is closed in 5 districts dominated by Meitei. Governor L. Acharya has gone to Assam. He has additional charge of Manipur Governor.
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There was a violent clash between security forces and students in Imphal on 10 September. About 100 students were injured in this. More than 100 school and college students of Imphal valley participated in this protest. CRPF DIG says that the situation is tense but under control.
More than 300 students protesting in Ima Market
Despite curfew, more than 300 students are protesting in Ima Market of Imphal. A news agency spoke to Dijen Talekh Mayum, one of the student leaders leading the protest. He is the General Secretary of the Students Union of Dhanamanjuri University.
He said that we are preparing for a long fight. We have seen the power of students in Bangladesh. The state has been ruined in the last 16 months, so we will return home only after getting our demands accepted from the Governor.
When asked them the reason, they said – Kuki militants are doing drone attacks, the government is not able to provide security. Our parents are tired of protesting. Sometimes curfew and sometimes markets are closed due to violence. Schools and colleges are open, but how can we go there to study? In such a situation, if we do not come down to protect ourselves, then who will?
Kuki said – We did not carry out rocket-drone attacks, Meitei are spreading lies
On the other hand, Home Secretary of Kuki Students Organization (KSO) Mang Khongsai told the news agency that Manipur Police IG and Assam Rifles DG came to Kuki dominated Churachandpur on Wednesday (September 11). They held a meeting with us. In this, the DG has appealed to resolve the issues and ceasefire for 10 days.
On the question of drone and rocket attacks, he said that both the tribes have been using drones for surveillance since May 3, 2023. But, the allegations of dropping bombs from drones and firing missiles from rockets are wrong.
Khongsai said that we use Pumpi to protect our areas. Pumpi is a pipe made of metal, filled with gunpowder and iron pieces. We have been making it since the time of the Anglo-Kuki War of 1919.
Internet banned in Manipur till September 15, colleges closed for two days
Ethnic conflict between the Kuki-Meitei community has been going on in Manipur since May 3, 2023. Violence has increased further after drone and rocket attacks in Meitei areas since September 1 this month. People have been protesting against the attacks since September 8.
The government has banned internet in the state till September 15. Colleges are closed till September 12. Curfew has been imposed in three districts including Imphal East, Imphal West. The Center has decided to send 2,000 more CRPF personnel to Manipur.
Violent protests by students; 4 important points
1- The people of Manipur are demanding the removal of the state’s DGP, security advisor, central security forces, an end to the 16-month-long civil war-like situation and the transfer of the unified command of the security forces from the Union Home Ministry to the Chief Minister. They say that all of them are unable to protect us. Since the drone and rocket attacks, we are living in an atmosphere of fear 24 hours a day.
2- On 8 September, students of the Meitei community took out a 3 km long march on Tiddim Road in Kishampet, Imphal. The protesters reached the Raj Bhawan and CM House. They wanted to submit a memorandum to the Governor and CM. The security forces fulfilled the students’ demand of submitting the memorandum on the next day i.e. 9 September, even after this the students continued to protest on the road throughout the night.
3- On September 9, hundreds of students pelted stones at the Raj Bhavan. During this, security personnel were seen running away. The security forces stopped the protesters by putting up barricades. Several rounds of tear gas shells and rubber bullets were fired. 20 students were injured in this.
4- On September 10, the students’ protest turned violent. They had submitted their six demands to the state government. They had given a 24-hour ultimatum to fulfill these demands, but when there was no response from the government, about 2500 students became angry. The students marching towards the Raj Bhavan clashed with the security forces. The students pelted stones at the security forces and threw pellets from slingshots. After this, tear gas shells were fired at the protesters. During this, more than 50 people were injured.
Three drone attacks since September 1, 8 dead so far
In Manipur, four incidents of violence took place in a week from September 1 to September 7. In these, 8 people died and 12 were injured. Three out of four attacks were carried out with drones and rockets.
So far 226 people have died in Manipur violence
Violence has been going on in Manipur since May 3, 2023 between the Kuki and Meitei communities over reservation. According to government figures, 226 people have died in the violence so far. More than 1100 people have been injured. More than 65 thousand people have left their homes.
Manipur Violence Explodes! Discover the 4 Shocking Reasons Behind the Chaos – Must Read!
Manipur has a population of about 38 lakhs. There are three major communities here – Meitei, Naga and Kuki. Meitei are mostly Hindus. Naga-Kuki follow Christianity. They come under ST category. Their population is about 50%. Imphal valley, spread over about 10% area of the state, is dominated by Meitei community. Naga-Kuki population is about 34 percent. These people live in about 90% area of the state.
1- How the dispute started: The Meitei community demands that they should also be given the status of a tribe. The community filed a petition in the Manipur High Court for this. The community argued that Manipur merged with India in 1949. Before that they had the status of a tribe. After this, the High Court recommended to the state government that the Meitei should be included in the Scheduled Tribe (ST).
2- What is the argument of the Meitei: The Meitei tribe believes that years ago their kings had called the Kukis from Myanmar to fight the war. After that they became permanent residents. These people cut the forests for employment and started cultivating opium. Due to this, Manipur has become a triangle of drug smuggling. All this is happening openly. They formed an arms group to fight the Naga people.
3- Why Naga-Kuki are against it: The other two tribes are against giving reservation to the Meitei community. They say that 40 out of 60 assembly seats in the state are already in the Meitei dominated Imphal valley. In such a situation, if Meitei gets reservation in the ST category, their rights will be divided.
4- What are the political equations: Out of 60 MLAs of Manipur, 40 MLAs are from Meitei and 20 MLAs are from Naga-Kuki tribe. So far, only two out of 12 CMs have been from tribes.
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