The Indian government has deployed over 10,000 extra troops across Manipur, intensifying the efforts to pacify the region wracked by ethnic violence. According to Chief Security Adviser Kuldeep Singh, with the arrival of 90 new companies of central forces, the total deployment in the northeastern state has now risen to 288 companies.
Since violence erupted between the Meitei and Kuki communities in May 2023, it has claimed 258 lives. Singh noted that the supplementary forces are being strategically positioned to secure civilians, to secure vulnerable areas, and to help prevent further unrest. “We are distributing our forces across critical zones as well as establishing new coordination cells and joint control rooms in all districts,” he said.
Indian government sends extra troops to Manipur, militants working on a new plan
The forces, including CRPF, BSF, Assam Rifles, ITBP, and the state police, are working in coordination under a new standard operating procedure. The strategy is to enhance security in the fringe areas as well as along national highways. So far, the jointly operated forces have recovered about 3,000 arms taken away from police armories during the skirmishes.
The violence escalated recently after a Hmar tribal woman was reportedly killed in Jiribam’s Zairawn village on November 7. This provoked a retaliatory Kuki militant attack on Borobekra on November 11 that left numerous people dead. Ten militants were reportedly killed in a standoff with the CRPF, but other militants were able to abduct six members of a Meitei family. Sadly, the hostages, including an infant, were found dead in a river.
Singh reiterated the security forces’ commitment to the crisis. “We are working together to restore order and deal with any emerging challenges,” he said. While operations continue across the region, the government hopes the increased troop presence and reinforced strategies will bring relief to the troubled state.
This violence cuts across a rather fragile socio-political fabric in Manipur that calls for urgent measures at peacebuilding.
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