By Anupam Mishra: Amid the disruption of essential supplies in Manipur in the aftermath of the recent violence, the Army and Assam Rifles facilitated the movement of vehicles carrying essential goods to and from Imphal, under complete protection.

In a statement, the Indian Army said, “During the ongoing tensions in Manipur, supplies to the Imphal Valley were cut off due to roadblocks and consequent fear among transporters. As a consequence, the state of essential supplies in the state was dwindling and beginning to reach critical levels. Army & Assam Rifles stepped in to assure protection to vehicles carrying essential goods from/ to Imphal.”

Giving out further details about the movement of vehicles, the Indian Army said on May 15, 2023, a convoy of 28 vehicles, including trucks, fuel tankers, JCBs carrying rice, sugar, pulses and fuel moved under the escort of CRPF and Manipur Police from Noney to Imphal.

“Prophylactic domination of the area was provided by Assam Rifles to ensure safe passage to the convoy which reached Imphal safely by afternoon. In addition, monitoring was also ensured through unmanned aerial vehicles,” the Indian Army said.

“Approximately 100 vehicles were moved on 16 and 17 May. Security Forces remain committed to restoring normalcy and the commencement of movement of the vehicles on NH 37 is another step towards normalcy in Manipur,” the Army added.

WHAT HAPPENED IN MANIPUR

Clashes broke out in Manipur after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The violence was preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals — Nagas and Kukis — constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.

The ethnic clashes claimed over 70 lives and some 10,000 army and para-military personnel had to be deployed to bring back normalcy in the northeastern state.