Indian Army had to let go of at least 12 militants when surrounded by a 1,500-strong women-led mob in war-torn Manipur. The incident occurred when the security forces launched an operation that captured separatist forces in Itham village in Imphal East.
Source: The Indian Express
Ethnic violence has been rife in Manipur since May 3, following a “Tribal Solidarity March” against the Meitei’s demands for the Scheduled Tribe status. Protests escalated when the Manipur High Court asked the state government to decide on the matter.
The minority Kuki population, who mostly inhabit the mountainous terrains, feared that the inclusion of the Meiteis, who live in the fertile valley, as a scheduled tribe would result in a large-scale shift of power. They also feared that this would allow Meiteis to occupy forest and mountain lands.
Since then, there has been wide-scale destruction of properties and infrastructure as militants torched hundreds of houses, temples, churches, and shops, displacing 40,000 people. The ongoing conflict has so far claimed more than 100 lives.
Women Block Army
Source: PTI Photo
Security sources claim that the army, guided by intel, launched an operation at around 2.30 pm in Itham village. They managed to capture 12 members of Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), a secessionist organization. The security forces have found arms, ammunition, and other equipment of warfare along with the militants.
A Mob of 1,200 to 1,500, mainly consisting of women and led by a local leader, soon surrounded the area and hindered the operation from advancing. Reports say that the aggressive mob did not yield after pleas for cooperation from the army officials. Left with no option, the army had to give in to the protesting mob’s demand and released the cadres.
The army defended their action by claiming it as a “mature” and “humane” act, suggesting that had they decided to continue the operation, there could have been numerous casualties considering the size of the mob.
The army refrained from the use of kinetic force to tackle the uncooperative mob, an action, likely to have caused severe casualties. The officials have identified self-acclaimed Lt. Col. Moirangthem Tamba, the mastermind of 6 DOGRA ambush cases, among the captured cadres.
Opposition Attacks Centre
Source: The Telegraph
As summoned by the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, an all-party meeting was held on June 24, where Mr. Shah assured that the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has been closely watching the situation in Manipur since day one, as reported. The Prime Minister, who is currently on an international tour to the U.S. and Egypt, has been criticized by opposition leaders for his absence during the grave situation in Manipur.
Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi, took a dig at the PM, criticizing his silence on the matter. Gandhi further questioned Modi’s responsibilities, as the latter himself has been absent from the all-party meeting to discuss the Manipur situation. Gandhi suggests that such a meeting was not important for the PM.
Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Trinamool, Congress, and the Left attended the meeting. Notable attendees included Mr. Shah, BJP President J.P. Nadda, Meghalaya CM Konrad Sangma, and former Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh, amongst others. The opponents have been reported to be vocal about Modi’s assurance to American President Joe Biden to help resolve the Ukraine-Russia conflict, as opposed to his lack of words on the situation in the North-Eastern state.
