On Friday, Centre dispatched 20 more companies of paramilitary forces to Manipur in the wake of the recent surge in violence in the state. A high level meeting comprising of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and senior defence officials took place where it was decided that 2,000 additional paramilitary forces would be dispatched sine die.
With this, a total of 90 companies, comprising 9,000 additional paramilitary personnel, have been deployed in the northeastern state in the last 10 days, when the number of violent skirmishes has risen rapidly.
In a statement, Security Advisor in Manipur government, Kuldiep Singh said, “Today, we had a security review meeting, and in this meeting, we reviewed the security of all the districts and Imphal city. During the meeting, Army, police, CRPF, BSF, ITBP officials were present. Whatever problems come up, we are all together. We discussed the issues with DCs and SPs of all districts.”
The killing of a woman from the Hmar community, triggered fresh violence in the state. She was set ablaze at her home in Zairawn village, Jiribam district, on November 7, 2024. At least 20 people were killed in Jiribam alone between November 7 and November 18, as per reports in 16 separate incidents of violence resulted in killings, injuries, arson, and heavy exchanges of fire between October 1 and November 18.
Thousands of people rendered homeless in ethnic clashes between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups in the northeastern state since May 3 last year.
