Over 10,000 Additional Troops Deployed in Manipur Amid Renewed Violence
The Indian government is deploying over 10,000 additional soldiers to Manipur in response to escalating ethnic violence, increasing the total number of central forces in the region to 288 companies.
This significant reinforcement, equivalent to approximately 10,800 personnel, aims to bolster security and stabilize the situation in the violence-hit northeastern state bordering Myanmar.
Manipur’s Chief Security Adviser, Kuldiep Singh, confirmed the reinforcements and provided updates on the situation during a press briefing in Imphal.
Violence Claims Over 250 Lives Since May
The unrest in Manipur, which began in May 2023, has led to the deaths of 258 individuals. Clashes primarily involve the Meitei community and the Kuki tribes. “We are getting 90 companies of forces. A sizable portion has already reached Imphal. The forces are being deployed to protect civilians and monitor vulnerable areas,” Singh said.
He added that the newly deployed forces will cover all regions within a few days, and enhanced coordination mechanisms such as joint control rooms and coordination cells will be established in every district.
Recovery of Looted Weapons
Since the onset of violence, security forces have recovered approximately 3,000 weapons looted from police armories. Singh emphasized that police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Indian Army, Assam Rifles, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Sashastra Seema Bal are working in unison to address the crisis.
“We are tackling the issue collectively, and operations are already underway,” Singh noted, adding that a new standard operating procedure (SOP) will be implemented to secure vulnerable areas, including fringe regions and national highways.
Recent Escalation
The recent surge in violence was triggered by the alleged killing of a Hmar tribal woman, a mother of three, by suspected Meitei militants in Jiribam’s Zairawn village on November 7. In retaliation, Kuki militants launched an attack on Borobekra in Jiribam on November 11.
Efforts are being intensified to restore peace and stability in the region, with the additional deployment reflecting the government’s commitment to address the ongoing crisis.
