Imphal: Tensions escalated in Manipur as a heated altercation erupted between the Manipur Police and the 9th Assam Rifles on Saturday. The conflict arose when several Casspir bulletproof vehicles belonging to the 9th Assam Rifles blocked off the Kwakta Gothol road in Bishnupur, a district dominated by the Meitei community. It stands adjacent to Churachandpur, a district dominated by the Kuki community.
The confrontation followed a distressing incident where suspected Kuki militants brutally killed three Meitei individuals and also injured a police commando and a civilian.
Confrontation condensed
In the early hours of Saturday, the region was gripped with fear and horror when suspected Kuki militants killed three Meitei individuals and injured a police commando, Paonam Apallo, and a civilian who sustained two bullet injuries on his left knee, Ukhrul Times reported.
Additionally, a woman also suffered a bullet wound on her thigh. In the aftermath of this tragic incident, a heated altercation erupted between the Manipur Police, led by Shakti Sen, and the 9th Assam Rifles, accusing the latter of colluding with the Kuki militants and obstructing their duty by blocking off the Gothol road.
Lingering tensions and previous clashes
This recent confrontation is not an isolated incident in Manipur. In June, a similar altercation occurred between the 37 Assam Rifles and Manipur Police at Sugnu Police Station in Kakching District.
The sharp argument arose when the 37 Assam Rifles blocked the main gates of Sugnu Police Station. Such lingering tensions between the security forces and local police only add to the already volatile situation in the region.
#ManipurViralVideo: Heated altercation erupts again between #ManipurPolice and #AssamRifles in Manipur. Manipur police on live video accuses AR of colluding with the #Kuki #militants.
The incident occurred after few casper bullet proof vehicles of the 9th Assam Rifles blocked… pic.twitter.com/F66oQHmiPF— Ukhrul Times (@ukhrultimes) August 5, 2023
Brutal killings shake Kwakta village
The violent incident at Kwakta village in Bishnupur district has left the community devastated. In a gruesome attack at around 3 am, suspected Kuki militants targeted two families, killing a father and his son. The assailants dragged the victims out of their homes and shot them point-blank, leaving the village in shock and grief.
August 3 incidents add to the unrest
The recent conflict on August 3 saw the Assam Rifles and Rapid Action Force confront Meitei women protestors. Tear gas shells and smoke bombs were used to disperse the protesting crowd, resulting in over 40 women being injured.
The protest was aimed at stopping the proposed mass burial of 35 Kuki-Zo people in the Torbung Bangla area, leading to further tensions in the region.
Authorities must address the underlying issues and work towards fostering understanding and cooperation among the various communities to achieve lasting peace in Manipur.
