Manipur women block security forces' operations, Army claims

The Indian Army has released a video on their official Twitter handle, accusing women activists in Manipur of deliberately obstructing security forces' operations to maintain peace in the violence-stricken state.

The two-minute and twelve-second video shows visuals of women activists interfering in security forces' efforts to apprehend rioters. It highlights four allegations against the women activists, including assisting rioters in escaping, obstructing Army operations during the day and night, impeding logistics movements, and digging up the entry to the Assam Rifles camp to cause delays.

The Army's tweet urged the people of Manipur to support the security forces in their mission to restore peace and added, "Help us to Help Manipur."

This comes in the wake of an incident where a mob, led by women in Imphal East, forced security forces to release twelve men affiliated with the proscribed extremist outfit Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL). One of the released individuals, Lt Col Moirangthem Tamba, was involved in the killing of at least eighteen Army jawans in 2015.

The ongoing ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur has resulted in over 100 deaths since May 3. The Meitei community, comprising 53% of the state's population, is demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, while the tribal groups are opposing the demand.

Various political parties, including the BJP, Manipur-based parties, Congress, TMC, Mizo National Front, AAP, DMK, RJD, and Samajwadi Party, attended an all-party meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to address the situation.