Imphal, May 14 (). People in caste violence-hit Manipur are now facing a double whammy as not only the prices of essential commodities are skyrocketing in the state, but banking facilities are also affected due to suspension of internet services, making life more miserable.
Internet services have been suspended for 12 days in 16 districts, due to which banks and ATM booths are unable to withdraw money.
The suspension of mobile internet services severely affected vital government and non-government services since May 3. Unprecedented violent clashes, attacks, counter-attacks and destruction of houses, vehicles and buildings in more than 10 districts following a tribal solidarity march called by the All Tribal Students’ Union of Manipur (ATSUM) to protest the demand for inclusion of the Meitei community in the ST category. There was arson in government and private properties.
The transportation fuel crisis has also put commuters in trouble. State government officials are supplying limited quantities of petrol and diesel to two-wheeler and vehicle owners.
Curfew is being relaxed in 11 districts for several hours every day to allow people to buy food and other essential items.
Imphal officials said sporadic incidents of violence and attacks are happening in some districts almost every day.
Suspected Kuki militants set ablaze some vacant houses in Churachandpur district on Saturday night. The residents of these houses are now living in relief camps.
Defense sources said a joint Army and Assam Rifles area dominance patrol party was fired upon by a group of unidentified armed miscreants in the forest area near Lalampat in Churachandpur district on Saturday.
Two Assam Rifles jawans who received bullet injuries were immediately rushed to the hospital. When the security forces retaliated, the armed miscreants fled from the area.
In another incident at Sipijang in Senapati district on Saturday, an area control patrol of Assam Rifles was fired upon by a group of unidentified armed miscreants who came from the forest.
After effective retaliatory action, the miscreants fled and two rifles and some ammunition were recovered from the area.
Meanwhile, Kuldeep Singh, security advisor to the Manipur government, said that during the inspection, some cadres and weapons were found missing in some camps where the Kuki insurgents are staying under the suspension of operations agreement.
Singh said 71 people have died since May 3, of whom 41 were victims of caste violence, while others died due to various reasons, including drug overdose.
A total of 339 cases of assault and arson have been registered, he said.
After the ethnic violence broke out on 3 May, miscreants and agitators snatched 1,041 arms and 7,460 rounds of ammunition from the security forces.
Singh said that so far 423 arms and 6,697 rounds of ammunition have been recovered from them.
Central forces, including the Army, also carried out round-the-clock aerial surveillance using drones and military helicopters.
The Army’s three-pronged domination strategy in Manipur is helping the state return to normalcy.
A defense spokesperson said the army is leaving no stone unturned to monitor trouble spots not only in the hinterland but also along the Indo-Myanmar border.
SGK
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