The situation in Manipur is still tense as violence continued in the foothills of Manipur on Thursday which has been going on for 72 hours now. At least eight people were killed, while 18 more were injured including 2 policemen in the Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts of the state following continuous gunbattle between Kukis and Meiteis, since August 29.The Chief Minister of the state, N Biren Singh termed the situation as “critical” and asked the general public to maintain calm. There have also been reports of a fresh firing incident in the adjoining Chingphei and Khousabung areas in the Churachandpur district.The violence between the two communities started on August 29 after a 30-year-old village volunteer was killed following heavy firing in the Khoirentak area.Response of policeOn Thursday search operation teams found explosives near the areas of Churachandpur and Imphal West districts. The findings included a cache of 20 explosive devices (commonly known as pipe bombs), 3 firearms, 20 rounds of ammunition, and approximately 30 grams of gunpowder. Following this the 130 checkpoints and Nakas were installed across various districts of Manipur, encompassing both hill and valley areas which resulted in the apprehension of more than 1900 individuals in connection with violence across different states.Chief Minister N Biren Singh of Manipur has called the situation as critical and the main causes behind the present crisis is the demographic imbalance due to the influx of illegal immigrants and deforestation. He has also asked to remain calm in this situation and not panic.Meanwhile, the police have also appealed to the general public to remain cautious and not believe any rumours being circulated on social media. Police also said the citizens can verify the authenticity of any suspicious content by reaching out to the Central Control Room at 9233522822. A total shutdown has also been called by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) in Lonphai, Khousabung, Kangvai, and Sugnu areas in Churachandpur which will be effective from August 31. However, emergency services such as medical, police, water, electricity, and the press were exempted from the shutdown and will carry on in a normal waySimilar to 90s, says Director General of Assam Rifles The Lt. General PC Nair, Director General of Assam Rifles also spoke on thencurrent situation and said, “The situation that we are facing in Manipur is unprecedented. We have never faced anything of this kind. Something similar happened in the early 90s when the Nagas and Kukis fought and then within the Kuki groups also there was a fight in the late 90s.”He also added “Speaking of the current threats, he said, “Today, the biggest challenge is the large number of weapons that are out within both communities. Related to this, is the minds of both communities. Today, theres so much against each other, its so corrupted. “He further says that for the situation to become better there should be a realisation from both the communities to come for the people since the only way forward is peace.#WATCH | Shillong, Meghalaya | Lt. General PC Nair, Director General of Assam Rifles says The situation that we are facing in Manipur is unprecedented. We have never faced anything of this kind. Something similar happened in the early 90s when the Nagas and Kukis fought and then… pic.twitter.com/zNBHUeYBVT— ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2023When will this violence endIn this ethnic violence, more than 160 people have been killed, another 50,000 displaced and several hundred injured since the violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, when a “Tribal Solidarity March” was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe status.A one-day Manipur assembly was also conducted to address this issue however the the issue of ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki is yet to come to a conclusion.
