Manipur Violence: Army releases 12 militants following standoff with 1,200-strong mob

Manipur Violence: In a significant turn of events, the Indian Army has released twelve militants in Manipur's Itham village after finding themselves surrounded by a massive mob comprising approximately 1,200 individuals, primarily led by women.

The standoff persisted for nearly an entire day before a decision was made to release the militants to avoid endangering the lives of civilians. The Army, in a statement, emphasized that considering the potential risks of employing force against such a large and agitated crowd, it was a prudent choice to hand over the twelve cadres to local leaders.

The Army praised the commanding officer responsible for the operation, commending the maturity displayed in making a decision that exemplified the humane aspect of the Indian Army. The militants belonged to the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), a Meitei militant group responsible for various attacks, including the 2015 ambush of the 6 Dogra unit, according to the Army.

The confrontation between the Army and the mob, estimated to be between 1,200 and 1,500 individuals, persisted throughout Saturday. Led by women, the mob encircled the Army unit, effectively impeding their progress in carrying out the operation. Among those present in the village was Moirangthem Tamba, also known as Uttam, a self-proclaimed lieutenant colonel and a wanted terrorist who may have orchestrated the Dogra ambush tragedy.

The conflict in Manipur stems from the "Tribal Solidarity March" organized on May 3 by the hill districts' tribal communities, protesting against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Prior to this, tensions had been escalating due to the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, leading to a series of smaller-scale protests.

The clashes between the Meiteis, residing in and around the state capital Imphal Valley, and the Kuki tribe settled in the hills, have resulted in the unfortunate loss of more than 100 lives. The situation remains tense as both communities grapple with deep-seated grievances and territorial disputes.

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