Violence peaks in Manipur as Nagas hit back; Centre rushes 4,000 troops

Guwahati/New Delhi: The Union home ministry has rushed 4,000 paramilitary personnel to Manipur as violence continued to rock the state, and a students’ federation in Nagaland imposed indefinite blockade on all Manipur-bound vehicles.

Manipur’s situation turned volatile on Sunday as counter-economic blockade supporters torched over 30 vehicles headed to hill areas, resulting in curfew restrictions in Imphal East. A mob torched a Church in Imphal East late on Monday night.

Common people have been facing hardships because of a blockade on two key national highways enforced by Manipur’s apex Naga organisation, United Naga Council (UNC), on November 1 to protest the state government’s announcement of formation of some new districts.

Extending their support to the UNC, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) blamed the state government for the current crisis in Manipur, and threatened that the blockade will not be lifted till an assurance for the safety of Nagas in Manipur was received.

Nagaland chief minister T.R. Zeliang has sought the intervention of both the Centre and the Manipur government in securing the lives and property of Naga people in the Imphal Valley.

In separate letters to Union home minister Rajnath Singh and Manipur chief minister Ibobi Singh on Monday, Mr Zeliang drew their attention to hardships being faced by hundreds of Nagas stranded in the Imphal Valley, and claimed that they were prevented from proceeding to their respective villages in the hills after threats to their lives by some Valley-based organisations.

He assured that all steps were being taken by his government for the safety of the Meiteis residing in or travelling through Nagaland.

“It is reported that several buses and other vehicles carrying Nagas have been stopped and torched. It appears that the law enforcing authorities in Imphal are not in a position to check or stop such lawless and violent activities endangering the lives of the Nagas in Manipur,” Mr Zeliang wrote in a letter to the Union home minister.

Manipur chief minister O. Ibobi Singh convened a cabinet meeting to discuss the situation. Union home ministry sources said 1,500 paramilitary personnel were rushed over the last two days, while around 2,500 were sent to Manipur last week.

The UNC has accused the Congress government of doing racial politics by dividing the Naga-inhabited area of Manipur in different districts. Political observers claim that the government has been trying to appease the Kukis through the move, opposed by the UNC.