Clash between students going to Raj Bhavan and security forces in Manipur:
Police fired tear gas shells; Curfew imposed in 2 districts, internet banned for 6 days in the state
Violent protests by students continued for the second consecutive day in Manipur on Tuesday. Students marching towards the Raj Bhavan clashed with security forces. Stones were also pelted at the security forces, after which tear gas shells were fired at the students. On September 9, students had pelted stones at the Raj Bhavan, after which the police fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets. More than 20 people were injured. On the night of September 9, women of the Meitei community had taken out a torchlight procession in protest against drone attacks. They had protested at the Raj Bhavan and the Chief Minister’s residence. The administration has imposed curfew in Imphal East and Imphal West. Internet has been banned in the state till 3 pm on September 15. M. Sanathoi Chanu, who is leading the students, said- We have demanded the removal of DGP, the security advisor of the state government. We have demanded that the unified command formed under the leadership of former CRPF DG Kuldeep Singh be handed over to the state government.
Photos of the last 3 days of the show
Protests continued from September 8, stones were pelted at the Raj Bhavan
- On September 9, hundreds of protesting students in Imphal pelted stones at the Raj Bhavan. These students of the Meitei community have been protesting since September 8 against the sudden increase in violent incidents in Manipur. On Sunday (September 8), after a 3 km march on Tiddim Road in Kishampat, the protesters reached the Raj Bhavan and CM House. They wanted to submit a memorandum to the Governor and the CM.
- Even after the security forces fulfilled their demand of submitting the memorandum, the students continued to protest on the road. The students say that they will stay here until their demands are met. During this time, they also clashed with the security forces.
- The students are protesting against the drone attacks in Meitei areas on September 1 and 3. They accused the central forces of maintaining silence and demanded them to leave the state. They also asked 50 out of 60 Meitei MLAs of the state to clarify their stand or resign.
- The students have also demanded that the command of the unified command in the state be given to Chief Minister N Biren Singh. That is, the command of the central and state forces should be with the Chief Minister instead of the Center. These people are also demanding the removal of DGP and Security Advisor.
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Latest incidents of violence in Manipur…
1 September – First drone attack : On 1 September, the state witnessed its first drone attack. In Kotruk village of Imphal West district, militants fired from the top of the hill and attacked Kotruk and lower areas of Kadangband valley with drones. 2 people were killed and 9 injured in this.
3 September – Second drone attack: Militants carried out drone attacks in Sejam Chirang village of Imphal district. 3 people including a woman were injured in this. Militants dropped 3 explosives from a drone in a residential area, which exploded inside the houses, breaking the roof. Militants also fired from the top of the hill.
6 September- Rocket attack on former CM’s house: Former Chief Minister Mairembam Koireng’s house in Moirang in Manipur’s Bishnupur district was attacked. Kuki militants threw a rocket bomb. In this attack, an elderly man died, while 5 people were injured. Mairembam Koireng was the first Chief Minister of the state.
7 September- Two attacks in Jiribam, 5 killed: The first incident took place about 7 KM away from the district headquarters. Here suspected hill militants entered a house and shot an elderly man while he was sleeping. He lived alone in the house. In the second incident, firing took place between Kuki and Meitei people. 4 people died in this.
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Amid the ongoing violence in Manipur, the state government took a big step. Manipur IG (Intelligence) K. Kabib said on Saturday (September 7) that a strong anti-drone system has been deployed. He said that new weapons are being purchased for the policemen. Senior police officers have been deployed on the ground. Aerial patrolling is continuing through army helicopters. Security personnel are deployed in sensitive areas.
The Chief Minister demanded to increase the powers of the state government. CM Biren Singh has handed over a list of 8-point demands to Governor Laxman Acharya. It talks about giving power and responsibilities to the state government as per the constitution. Along with this, the CM has demanded to cancel the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Kuki militants, so that the security forces can take action against the Kuki militants with full force. Apart from this, it has also been said to start the process of National Register of Citizens (NRC) and expel all illegal immigrants.
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Silence in Meitei-dominated Kotruk, Moirang; 20 villages were targeted Barring a few families, 500 people have left their homes in Kotruk village, 20 km from Imphal. Those who are left have not slept for many nights because there is a constant threat of drone attacks. Drone bomb attacks took place here on September 1. There was a rocket attack in Moirang, which falls in the Meitei part of Vishnupur district. This 80% village is empty. N. Macron Singh, a resident of Kotruk, said that most of the people have gone to their relatives’ homes. He claimed that on September 1, the militants were about to drop bombs on 20 villages, but the security forces stopped them by firing. The army is conducting a search operation from Moirang to Kangpokpi. Weapons have been seized from many places. This includes RPG and high-end assault rifles.
So far 226 people have died in Manipur violence. Violence has been going on in Manipur since May 3, 2023 between the Kuki and Meitei communities over reservation. According to government figures, 226 people have died in the violence so far. More than 1100 people have been injured. More than 65 thousand people have left their homes.
Know in 4 points what is the reason behind Manipur violence… Manipur has a population of about 38 lakhs. There are three major communities here – Meitei, Naga and Kuki. Meitei are mostly Hindus. Naga-Kuki follow Christianity. They come under ST category. Their population is about 50%. Imphal valley, spread over about 10% area of the state, is dominated by Meitei community. Naga-Kuki population is about 34 percent. These people live in about 90% area of the state.
How the dispute started: The Meitei community demands that they should also be given the status of a tribe. The community filed a petition in the Manipur High Court for this. The community argued that Manipur merged with India in 1949. Before that they had the status of a tribe. After this, the High Court recommended to the state government that the Meitei should be included in the Scheduled Tribe (ST).
What is the argument of the Meitei: The Meitei tribe believes that years ago their kings had called the Kukis from Myanmar to fight the war. After that they became permanent residents. These people cut the forests for employment and started cultivating opium. Due to this, Manipur has become a triangle of drug smuggling. All this is happening openly. They formed an arms group to fight the Naga people.
Why Naga-Kuki are against it: The other two tribes are against giving reservation to the Meitei community. They say that 40 out of 60 assembly seats in the state are already in the Meitei-dominated Imphal valley. In such a situation, if Meitei gets reservation in the ST category, their rights will be divided.
What are the political equations: Out of 60 MLAs of Manipur, 40 MLAs are from Meitei and 20 MLAs are from Naga-Kuki tribe. So far, only two out of 12 CMs have been from tribes.
