19-11-2024 (NEW DELHI) The Indian government has announced a significant bolstering of security forces in the troubled state of Manipur, with 5,000 additional paramilitary personnel to be deployed amid escalating ethnic violence that has claimed 16 lives in recent clashes.
The decision comes in the wake of a devastating cycle of violence between the majority Meitei Hindu community and the minority Christian Kuki group. Last week’s bloodshed saw ten members of a Kuki militant faction killed in confrontations with law enforcement, triggering retaliatory violence that resulted in the deaths of six Meitei civilians in Jiriban district.
Senior officials from the Home Ministry, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that 50 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) would be mobilised to the region. “Each company comprises 100 personnel, specifically trained in handling insurgency and civil unrest”, the official stated.
The northeastern state has been gripped by communal tensions for over 18 months, with the death toll surpassing 200 since the outbreak of violence. The latest surge in hostilities has prompted authorities to reimpose stringent security measures in Imphal, the state capital, including internet restrictions and curfews following violent demonstrations sparked by the discovery of six bodies.
Dr Rajesh Kumar, a conflict resolution expert at Delhi University, notes that the situation has created a humanitarian crisis. “We’re witnessing the displacement of tens of thousands of civilians, with communities effectively segregated into ethnic enclaves”, he explained.
The region’s proximity to Myanmar adds another layer of complexity to the security challenges. Local authorities have struggled to maintain order despite the presence of thousands of security personnel already stationed in the area.
The conflict’s roots run deep, encompassing disputes over land rights, employment opportunities, and political representation. Human rights organisations have criticised regional political figures for allegedly exploiting these divisions for electoral advantage.
As weekend deployment approaches, security analysts question whether additional troops alone can address the fundamental issues driving the conflict. “Military presence may contain violence temporarily, but lasting peace requires addressing the underlying socio-economic grievances”, suggests former police commissioner Rajinder Singh.
