Women protesters interfering in Manipur ops, says Army, puts out video

Women activists in #Manipur are deliberately blocking routes and interfering in Operations of Security Forces. Such unwarranted interference is detrimental to the timely response by Security Forces during critical situations to save lives and property.
🔴 Indian Army appeals to… pic.twitter.com/Md9nw6h7Fx

— SpearCorps.IndianArmy (@Spearcorps) June 26, 2023

“Blocking movement of Security Forces is not only unlawful but also detrimental to their efforts towards restoring law and order… Indian Army appeals to all sections of society to cooperate with Security Forces working day and night to bring peace and stability in Manipur,” it stated.

These statements come two days after the Army had to release 12 cadres of the banned insurgent group Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup after apprehending them during an operation in Imphal East following a stand-off with a women-led mob of 1,200-1,500 people.

The video also had June 23 visuals from Yaingangpokpi in Imphal East, which had seen incidents of shooting that day. The visuals show two open vans carrying a large number of women accompanying some vehicles, which the Army said carried armed rioters.

There was another visual from June 13, which showed a large number of people obstructing a road in Imphal East’s Nunshung, which is close to Khamenlok. That evening, a Meitei mob had burned down eight villages in Khamenlok. Later, in a reported counter-attack from Kukis, nine Meiteis were killed. Sources in the army had then said that forces had not been able to reach the site of arson and firing because of blockading.

A large number of women have been seen blockading roads across towns and villages in the valley ever since the resurgence of violence on May 28. These women protesters express a lack of faith in the Indian Army and Assam Rifles.