Violence has been going on between the Kuki and Maitei communities over reservation in Manipur for the past 54 days. Meanwhile, the army has shared a video on Monday. In this video of 2 minutes 14 seconds, the people of Manipur have been appealed to cooperate in the operation of the army.
The army said that there were several incidents during the operation of the security forces when some people tried to interfere with it. Sena said- Don't mistake our human behavior for weakness. We can restore peace and law and order in Manipur only if you cooperate with us.
In East Imphal, the Army on Saturday arrested 12 activists of banned outfit KYKL in an operation. After protests by a mob of 1500 women, the soldiers had to release them.
In East Imphal, the Army on Saturday arrested 12 activists of banned outfit KYKL in an operation. After protests by a mob of 1500 women, the soldiers had to release them.
A joint operation by the Army and Manipur Police was launched in East Imphal on June 24, in which 12 cadres of banned outfit Kangli Yawol Kanna Loop (KYKL) were arrested. The Defense PRO told news agency ANI that based on intelligence inputs, the Army had launched a search-operation in Itham village (6 km east of Andro) east of Imphal.
The entire area was cordoned off to avoid any trouble to people. Security forces seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition from here and arrested 12 KYKL workers, but a crowd of 1200 to 1500 people surrounded the security forces.
The crowd was led by women and some local leaders. These people were demanding the release of 12 cadres of KYKL. Security forces called off the operation and freed 12 KYKL cadres to avoid any harm to the crowd.
The crowd does not allow the security forces to act
A joint operation was conducted by security forces and police in Tamenglong, Imphal East, Bishnpur, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Kakching districts to control the violence. According to the police, after the outbreak of violence, people fled, hiding in villages and bunkers. On Sunday, 12 such bunkers were destroyed at both Hill and Valley locations.
The 'mob system' here in six districts of the state - Bishnupur, Imphal East, Imphal West, Ukhrul, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi - is hampering the operations of the army and police. The people of Maitei and Kuki communities start protesting in the form of mobs against any arrest and search in their respective areas. In many villages security agencies are not even able to penetrate.
131 people have died in the violence so far
In view of the violence, the internet ban in the state has been extended till June 30 late on Sunday night. In an all-party meeting, the Ministry of Home Affairs informed that 131 people have died in the violence so far. At the same time 419 people have been injured. More than 5 thousand incidents of fire have occurred. Six thousand cases have been registered and 144 people have been arrested. 36 thousand security personnel and 40 IPS have been deployed in the state.
Know the entire controversy in 4 points...
1. Maitei community constitutes half of the population in Manipur
More than half of Manipur's population of around 3.8 lakhs resides in the Maitei community. The Imphal Valley, which covers about 10% of Manipur's area, is dominated by the Maitei community. Currently the Manipur High Court has issued orders to the state government to consider the inclusion of Maitei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST).
2. Why the Maitei community wants reservation
The Maitei community contends that they had tribal status in the princely state before the merger with the Indian Union in 1949. In the last 70 years, the Maitei population has declined from 62 percent to about 50 percent. The Maitei community is demanding reservation for its cultural identity.
3. Naga-Kuki tribe is against reservation
Manipur's Naga and Kuki tribes are opposed to giving reservation to Maitei community. The Naga tribe occupies 90% of the state's area and the Kukis constitute 34% of the state's population. They say 40 of the state's 60 assembly seats are already in the Imphal Valley, dominated by Maitei. Politically the Maitei community is already dominant in Manipur. Naga and Kuki tribes fear that reservation of Maitei in ST category will lead to division of their rights. As per the existing law, the Maitei community is not allowed to settle in the hilly areas of the state.
4. The reason for the present violence is the reservation issue
The current violence in Manipur is attributed to Maitei reservation. In August last year, Chief Minister Biren Singh's government had ordered the eviction of the Naga and Kuki tribes living in the forest areas of Churachandpur, terming them as intruders. This made Naga-Kuki angry. Maitei are Hindus, while most of the ST category Nagas and Kukis follow Christianity.
