Manipur: Chief Minister Hints At Invoking AFSPA Amid Kukis’ 24-Hour Shutdown

Tense situation continued in Manipur, and there have been casualties including the death of five security personnel and a BSF jawan. Four police commandos were also injured in the latest violence which erupted in Manipur‘s Tengnoupal district on Tuesday when unidentified armed men attacked the security personnel.

In protest against the alleged police brutality in the area, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) and the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) in areas where Kuki tribes are majority had called for a 24-hour shutdown till Wednesday midnight. The Kukis are demanding the removal of police from the areas where they live.

However, Saying that he was “highly upset,” Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh alleged Kuki National Army, Burma (KNA-B) from across the border is suspected to be behind the attack. He also warned the attackers and the people who support them saying that the government will take rigorous actions, including the reimposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

The five dead who had been part of the security patrol team were identified as Maibam Thoiba, Chabungbam Herojit, Kamei Gaohemlung, Mangsatabam Premkumar and Rabindra Singh.

The situation has escalated in recent times as recurrent attacks have been reported from the state. On Saturday, over 10 police and security personnel have been injured following attacks by unidentified men. On Sunday also, a rocket-propelled grenade attack was unleashed against the police commandos, leaving four injured. Besides, there have also been ambushes in some areas.

Raising doubts about the foreign involvement, the chief minister said that they have doubts about the foreign machinery involvement from Myanmar.

“We are having some doubts about the involvement of foreign mercenaries from the Myanmar side in the incident. Multiple sources have told us this. The involvement of KNA-B (Kuki National Army, Burma) is highly possible,” the chief minister said.

The chief minister also said the foreign machinery is using sophisticated weapons and asserted that the state government is working with the