People with knowledge of the situation said that Meitei women’s groups prevented the arrival of reinforcements to Molnoi in Manipur, which has been ravaged by ethnic violence, after unidentified assailants opened fire on security officers on Friday morning, sparking a shootout.
Gunfire by assailants
Around six in the morning, gunfire was shot by the assailants who were concealed in a bush. “Reinforcements were moving towards Molnoi while the gun battle raged on. Meira Paibis [Meitei women] are impeding their progress, according to an official who wished to remain unnamed. The official also said it was unclear who the attackers were.
No casualties
Police and central forces did not report any casualties until 9.30am. Last week, new violence broke out after a week of calm. At least eight persons were killed and over twenty wounded on August 29 and August 31, after skirmishes between the Kuki tribe and the majority Meiteis. Three members of the India Reserve Battalion were also injured.
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Following a call by the women’s wing of a coalition of Meitei organisations for a march to demand the removal of a security roadblock at Phougakchao Ikhai hamlet, a curfew was enacted in five districts of Manipur on Tuesday.
COCOMI against Asaam rifles
The collective COCOMI wants the Assam Rifles to leave Manipur because they are unfair. Meitei women’s organisations have protested the force numerous times.
A Manipuri leader received a legal notice from Assam Rifles last month for allegedly accusing the unit of supporting Kuki militants during the battles with Meiteis in his remarks. In a first information report, the Manipur Police claimed that the Assam Rifles had prevented them from following Kuki militants beyond a buffer zone.
According to Assam Rifles, its soldiers were merely adhering to the buffer zone regulations set up to reestablish normalcy. For allegedly discouraging the return of weapons stolen from police armories, it filed a sedition prosecution against COCOMI.
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The Meiteis reside in the Imphal valley and plains, whereas the Kukis and other tribal communities reside in hill areas. To prevent armed individuals from both the Kukis and Meitei sides from crossing them to conduct attacks, the central forces are stationed in the buffer zones or regions next to the foothills.
State police forbidden from entering buffer zones
Even state police have been forbidden from entering the buffer zones without being accompanied by central forces. Amidst accusations of bias against the state police, the instruction was issued.
Since May 3, approximately 150 people have died as a result of racial conflict between the Metei and Kuki communities, and about 50,000 people have been evacuated.
