In a recent development, Manipur witnessed escalating tensions as clashes erupted between women activists and security forces. The Indian Army has expressed concerns over the “deliberate interference” by the activists, which hampers the timely response of security forces during critical situations, posing risks to lives and property.
The Indian Army took to twitter and pointed to some very disturbing visuals relating to how women activists in Manipur have been “intentionally obstructing” routes and interfering with the operations of security forces.
Such unwarranted interference, the Army stated, hampers the timely response by security forces during critical situations, affecting their ability to save lives and protect property.
Under the hashtag #Manipur, the Indian Army appealed to all sections of the population to support their endeavors in restoring peace. Alongside the appeal, the Army released a 2-minute and 12-second video compiling alleged visuals from multiple operations, leveling serious allegations against women activists.
The video claimed that women activists were assisting rioters in escaping, interfering in operations, obstructing the movement of logistics, and even resorting to digging up the entry point of the Assam Rifles base to deliberately delay the deployment of troops. It is noteworthy that neither the video nor the captions provided identification of any specific women activists or their communities. The Indian Army’s tweet and the accompanying video of the clash between women activists and security forces draw attention to the complexities surrounding the situation in Manipur to pursue peaceful restoration.
The tensions escalated following an incident where a large mob of approximately 1,500 individuals, led by women activists in Imphal East, vehemently resisted the security forces’ attempt to apprehend 12 members of the Meitei separatist group, Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL).
The ongoing ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in the state has resulted in a loss of over 100 lives. The clashes initially erupted on May 3, triggered by a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ organised in the hill districts as a protest against the Meitei community’s request for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Women activists in #Manipur are deliberately blocking routes and interfering in Operations of Security Forces. Such unwarranted interference is detrimental to the timely response by Security Forces during critical situations to save lives and property.
🔴 Indian Army appeals to… pic.twitter.com/Md9nw6h7Fx— SpearCorps.IndianArmy (@Spearcorps) June 26, 2023
