According to people with knowledge of the situation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah called an urgent meeting with senior security establishment officials on Sunday to discuss the worsening circumstances in Manipur. He also stated that a more thorough review was planned on Monday.
Shah, who had been in Maharashtra to campaign for the state’s elections later in the week, abruptly left the state to attend the conference in the nation’s capital, according to party leaders.
As the government gets ready to address the most recent surge in violence, which has been characterised by what seem to be retaliatory killings committed by both Kuki and Meitei factions in the state, Shah will preside over a meeting at North Block on Monday.
Anish Dayal Singh, the director general of the CRPF, has also been dispatched by the Centre to Manipur. According to people with knowledge of the situation, Monday’s meeting will include senior representatives from the home ministry, the Intelligence Bureau, and the commanders of the security forces operating in Manipur.
Locals targeted the homes of ministers and MLAs on Saturday, escalating the situation. Gunfights were reported at the buffer zones between the valley and the hills, demonstrators stopped highways in the valley overnight, and cars and portions of houses were set on fire.
Following a request from the state government, about 300 members of the army and Assam Rifles were sent to Imphal. Security personnel can only operate in response to a state government request because police stations in the state capital are not designated as disturbed areas under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
“Around 300 personnel from security forces have been deployed across key areas of Imphal Valley and Thoubal since yesterday night. Following the resurgence of turmoil, the Security Forces received a requisition from the state police department for deployment of troops in various parts of Imphal Valley to assist in maintaining law and order and restoring peace,” an official said, asking not to be named.
Sanjenthong, Khurai Lamlong Bridge, Thongju Bridge, Koirengei, Kangla Western Gate, Keishampat, Chungtham, Salam Mayai Leikai, Konthujam, Mayang Imphal, Hiyangthang, Nambol, Mantripukhri, Babupara, Wangjing, Thoubal and Lilong of Imphal East, Imphal West, and Thoubal Districts are among the locations where the troops are stationed throughout the Imphal Valley.
“The situation was better today. Last night, the houses of some other political people were vandalised. But during the day today (Sunday) there was no major violence. Curfew measures in Imphal is being enforced strictly,” a senior officer posted in Manipur said.
A 31-year-old tribal woman was allegedly shot, raped, and burned by suspected members of the extremist Meitei organisation Arambai Tenggol in Jiribam area, sparking a new wave of violence. The bodies of five Meitei family members and two civilians were later found in Jiribam village. The body of a Kuki guy was also discovered in the district on Sunday morning.
Vishvas Pathak, state coordinator of BJP, said: “The tour of the union home minister was cancelled because of the official meetings of his ministry that came up at the last minute. Other two senior leaders held the rallies in place of the home minister.”
Over the past week, the government has stopped internet connections, implemented AFSPA in at least six police stations, and deployed more than 2,500 more paramilitary soldiers. At least 250 people have been killed and 60,000 have been displaced by battles between Meitei and Kuki tribes since May 2023. These clashes have essentially split Manipur into two ethnic enclaves: the Kuki-dominated hills and the Meitei-controlled valley, which are divided by a buffer zone that is watched over by federal soldiers.
