Govt sends 2,000 more CRPF personnel to Manipur; internet suspended and prohibitory orders imposed as student protests intensify
Imphal: The Centre has directed the deployment of two additional CRPF battalions, totaling about 2,000 personnel, to Manipur for security duties amid ongoing ethnic violence. Battalion 58 from Warangal, Telangana, and Battalion 112 from Latehar, Jharkhand, will be stationed in Churachandpur and Imphal, respectively. This move follows the withdrawal of two Assam Rifles battalions for operational duties elsewhere. The Ministry of Home Affairs has instructed these units to be stationed in various conflict areas across the state, which has been plagued by violence between Meiteis and Kukis since May last year, resulting in over 200 deaths and thousands displaced.
The deployment of these battalions complements the existing 16 CRPF battalions already operational in the state. Recent violence has included drone and missile attacks, leading to heightened security measures. A joint team of CRPF and BSF officials will arrive this week to analyze the drones and improvised rockets used in recent attacks. Two drone guns have already been provided to the CRPF in Manipur, with additional equipment planned for deployment.
On Tuesday, the Manipur government suspended internet services statewide for five days to prevent the spread of provocative content amid intensified student protests. Demonstrators clashed with security forces, who used tear gas to disperse crowds marching towards the Raj Bhavan. The protests demand the removal of the Director General of Police and the security advisor to the Manipur government, citing their failure to address the crisis effectively.
Prohibitory orders were imposed in Imphal East, Imphal West, and Thoubal districts, with an indefinite curfew in the Imphal districts and restrictions on assembly in Thoubal. Students, who had spent the night in camps at Khwairamband Women Market, have given a 24-hour deadline for the Governor's response to their demands. The protests have led to further violence, including stone-pelting and clashes with police, resulting in injuries to law enforcement personnel.
More than 200 people have been killed, and thousands displaced in the ongoing ethnic strife, with recent attacks escalating tensions and prompting a robust security response from the authorities.
