Manipur unrest: Govt deploys 5,000 extra paramilitary troops amid fresh clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities

Manipur unrest: The government will send 5,000 additional paramilitary troops to Manipur to deal with the situation in the state amid renewed clashes between the warring Meitei and Kuki communities, according to an AFP report on November 19.

The predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mostly Christian Kuki minority community, have been involved in clashes since May 2023.

Additional Paramilitary Troops Being Sent

A government source told the news agency that New Delhi has “ordered 50 additional companies of paramilitary forces to go to Manipur”.

Each company of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), overseen by the Union Home Ministry, has 100 troops. They are responsible for internal security, the report added.

As per a report by the Business Standard, the additional forces are likely to be deployed by the end of the week.

Manipur Unrest — Top Updates

• Last week 16 people were killed in fresh clashes in the troubled northeastern state. Manipur has been rocked by periodic clashes for over 18 months. 
• 10 Kuki youths involved in militant activities were killed in alleged police gunfire in Jiribam ditrict last week, prompting the apparent reprisal killing of six Meiteis in the same district a few days later.

India already has thousands of troops attempting to keep the peace in the conflict that has killed at least 200 people since it began 18 months ago.

Manipur has been subject to periodic internet shutdowns and curfews since the violence began last year.

Both were reimposed in the state capital Imphal on Saturday after the discovery of the six bodies prompted violent protests by the Meitei community.

The ethnic strife has also displaced tens of thousands of people in the state, which borders war-torn Myanmar.

Incensed crowds in the city had attempted to storm the homes of several local politicians.

Local media reports said several homes of lawmakers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which governs the state, were damaged in arson attacks during the unrest.

Long-standing tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities revolve around competition for land and jobs.

Rights groups have accused local leaders of exacerbating ethnic divisions for political gain.