Editor
Imphal, Manipur: The northeastern state of Manipur is gripped by escalating violence, prompting widespread calls for President's Rule as the death toll reaches 10 in the last 24 hours. The situation has become so dire that the Army was compelled to deploy mine-protected vehicles after coming under heavy fire from unidentified assailants. The violence unfolded just hours before Union Home Minister Amit Shah's scheduled visit to Imphal on Monday evening.
As the nation awaits Shah's arrival, various groups and organizations have voiced their hopes that he can restore peace and normalcy to Manipur. The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a civil society organization based in the Imphal valley, expressed their welcome to the Union Home Minister and emphasized the people's expectation for his intervention. The United People's Front and the Kuki National Organisation have also expressed support for Shah's visit, viewing it as a positive step toward instilling a sense of security among the populace.
Upon his arrival at Imphal airport at 9 pm, Shah wasted no time and proceeded directly to the Chief Minister's secretariat. During his stay in the state until June 1, Shah plans to hold multiple security meetings to strategize on restoring normalcy. Additionally, a meeting with the state cabinet is scheduled.
This visit marks Shah's first trip to Manipur since the eruption of ethnic clashes on May 3. The violence has only escalated in the lead-up to the Home Minister's arrival. On Monday, just hours before Shah landed, a Meitei civilian was killed, and another was injured in the Wakhanphai area near Imphal East district. On Sunday, nine individuals, including two policemen and a suspected militant, lost their lives in Imphal East and Kakching districts. Tragically, a Meitei volunteer reportedly succumbed to a heart attack in Imphal East district on Monday.
The Army has taken action, eliminating 33 militants in a separate operation. Maintaining a strong presence in the troubled regions, the Army apprehended 25 miscreants armed with weapons at various locations on Monday. Simultaneously, local police and militants engaged in a fierce firefight near Khurkhul in Imphal West district.
In an operation aimed at thwarting armed miscreants, troops intercepted three individuals in a car near the city convention center in Imphal. The security forces discovered an INSAS Rifle with a magazine, 60 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, one Chinese hand grenade, and one detonator in their possession.
Lt Col M. Rawat, the Defense Public Relations Officer, reported, "Army columns were fired upon from automatic weapons by miscreants who were trying to burn the houses. During the operation, the Army apprehended 22 miscreants along with arms."
On Sunday, the Army and Assam Rifles successfully rescued numerous stranded villagers from both the Meitei and Kuki communities in Sugnu and Serou villages of Kakching district. Nearly 2,000 Meitei villagers were evacuated to the Pangaltabi relief camp with the assistance of the Assam Rifles, while approximately 328 Kuki villagers were safely relocated to Sajik Tampak from Sugnu.
"To ensure safe and incident-free evacuation, aerial surveillance cover was provided by UAVs, while mine-protected vehicles and area domination patrols were deployed on the ground. Service doctors also provided necessary medical aid," the Defense PRO added.
The deteriorating situation in Manipur demands immediate attention, and all eyes are now on Union Home Minister Amit Shah as the state faces an uphill battle to restore peace and stability. The coming days will prove crucial in determining the course