On Monday, authorities in India’s northeastern Manipur state resumed a curfew and deployed military forces on roads to contain fresh violence. Arson by unknown persons sparked a blaze that filled the sky with thick columns of smoke in Imphal’s Lambulane area. Firefighters used water hoses to battle the flames, yet fortunately no casualties were reported. Some individuals attempted to force shop closures, and troops were deployed to the area. Protesters also lit tires on the road, and the government fired teargas shells to disperse the masses. Subsequently, three suspects were taken into custody by the army along with two weapons seized.
In the days prior, Manipur was rocked by tribal protests due to the inclusion of the non-tribal Meiteis community in a scheduled tribe status. This spurred large-scale violence, resulting in 71 casualties, 230 injured individuals, and more than 1700 houses set ablaze. As a result, the local government extended a ban on the internet services for five more days as a precaution.
The facts behind this incident revolve around The All Tribal Student Union Manipur, an organization that called the rally and instigated the tribal showdown. It is an important body in Manipur and aims to establish a safe and equal education system for all tribal communities. ATSUM works to protect the indigenous rights of the people of the area, both tribals and non-tribals, and provides numerous youth engagement services to educate the newer generations.
The current standoff in Manipur is a testament to the hard work done by the ATSUM, as well as their dedication to the cause of educating and protecting the people of Manipur. The organization is led by President Thangminlen Kipgen and General Secretary Kalimohan K, both of whom have been key figures in providing aid to the vulnerable. The government must recognize their invaluable efforts and value the way they are working to end the crisis and restore peace.
