NEW DELHI, May 22: A former Manipur MLA and two others were arrested with guns on Monday after fresh disturbances flared up in state capital Imphal’s Chekon neighbourhood.
Security forces were rushed to the area again this afternoon after days of fragile peace. The three armed men including the former MLA threatened shopkeepers to shut down in New Chekon, Chief Minister N Biren Singh told reporters.
The Assam Rifles rushed in and caught the three men and handed them over to the state police. The situation has been brought under control, Singh said, adding three shotguns have been recovered. Curfew, which had earlier been relaxed till 4 pm in Imphal, was reimposed after 1 pm after the latest flare-up.
Manipur has been witnessing ethnic clashes connected to multiple issues for almost a month. Early this month, clashes had broken out in the hill state after Kuki tribals organised a solidarity march on May 3 to protest against the Meiteis’ demand for Scheduled Tribe status. More than 70 people died in the violence that had simmered for over a week. Property worth crores was torched and thousands were forced to leave their homes to seek safety in government-organised camps.
The clashes were preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which led to a series of smaller agitations. Though Meities comprise 64 per cent of the state’s population, they occupy 10 per cent of the state’s territory as non-tribals are not allowed to buy land in notified hill areas. Their inclusion in the ST category will enable them to purchase land in the hills – a possibility that has hugely upset the tribals.
The Kukis allege that the state’s BJP government led by Chief Minister N Biren Singh has been targeting them systematically, aiming to remove them from the forests and their homes in the hills. The war on drugs too, was a ruse for eviction, they have alleged.
The army and paramilitary forces have been camping in the state, organising regular patrols and helping civilians. The Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured of action against those involved in the violence, and met with representatives of both communities.
(Manas Dasgupta)
