Hours after the Centre ordered an additional 70 companies of paramilitary forces to Manipur in the wake of a new wave of killings and protests there, the state’s ruling alliance MLAs, at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister N Biren Singh, passed a resolution Monday, urging the Centre to “review the imposition of AFSPA” in six police stations areas of the valley. The MLAs demanded “mass operations against Kuki militants responsible for” the November 11 abduction and killing of six Meitei women and children from Jiribam, and to declare them an “unlawful organisation” within seven days. The resolution stated that if these were “not implemented within the specified period, the NDA legislators will decide the future course of action in consultation with the people of the state”. It also stated that legal action would be taken against people who had vandalised the homes of legislators during the protests. The Centre had reimposed the Disturbed Areas status under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the jurisdiction of six police stations in the valley areas, including Jiribam, on November 14. The notification was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs which cited the “volatile” situation in Manipur and instances of “active participation of insurgent groups in heinous acts of violence”. In New Delhi Monday, after Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a review meeting, it was decided that another 70 companies of paramilitary forces, comprising more than 7,000 personnel, will be sent to Manipur to restore order. Shah directed that paramilitary forces focus on restoring peace and order in Manipur. “He is learnt to have directed that security personnel take stringent action against attackers… increase security deployment outside relief camps and in the hills and valley areas to maintain law and order,” a source said. Shah sent CRPF DG Anish Dayal Singh, who belongs to the Manipur cadre of the IPS, to Imphal for ground assessment and to coordinate with the forces there, the source said. In a communication to the Manipur Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and DGP, an official of the MHA said, “It has been decided to provide additional 70 companies of CAPFs – 50 from CRFP and 20 from BSF – to the government of Manipur with immediate effect… The state government is requested to work out the detailed deployment plan in consultation with the respective CAPFs.” According to the communication, with the fresh deployment of 70 companies, a total of 288 companies – 165 CRPF, 104 BSF, 8 RAF, 6 SSB and 5 ITBP – will be available with the state government up to November 30. The move to send more troops comes in the wake of the deteriorating situation there following the killings in Jiribam on November 11. The MHA ordered 20 CAPF companies – 15 CRPF and 5 BSF – to the state the day after the incident. In Jiribam Sunday night, 22-year-old Kh Athouba was shot dead during a confrontation between security forces and a large group of protesters near the local police station. Following the incident, the services of retired Army officer Nectar Sanjenbam, who was appointed last year as SSP (Combat), were discontinued Monday. The Home Department formed a two-member committee to investigate the incident. The committee, comprising IGP Intelligence Kabip K and DIG (Range-III) Ningshem Worngam, has been asked to inquire into the cause of the incident and circumstances, the “contributing factors” and “to find out any foul play on the part of any person including public authority leading to or contributing to the occurrence of the incident.” Tensions have been running high ever since November 11 when armed men, who police said were Hmar militants, attacked a CRPF camp and a nearby relief camp and allegedly abducted six persons of a Meitei family – three women and three children including an infant. Five bodies have since been recovered from a river, triggering violent protests. A sixth body, found Monday but still to be identified, is believed to be that of the last member of the missing family. Also Monday, the state government extended the suspension of Internet services in all valley districts and in the districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi by another two days. Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered three cases in connection with the latest incidents of violence. These cases, which were originally registered by Manipur Police, have been taken over by the NIA – these are related to the murder of a woman in Jiribam by armed men (FIR registered at Jiribam local police on November 8); attack on a CRPF post located at Jakuradhor Karong and Borobekra police stations, Jiribam, by armed men (FIR registered at Borobekra police station on November 11); and burning of houses and killing of a civilian at Borobekra (FIR registered at Borobekra police station on November 11).
