Indian Army accuses women activists of hindering operations in Manipur

The Indian Army’s Spear Corps has alleged that women activists in the violence-afflicted northeastern state of Manipur are obstructing their operations and blocking routes. They argue that this “unwarranted interference” impedes their ability to respond promptly in critical situations.

The Spear Corps released a video on Twitter to expose what it called the “myth of peaceful blockade led by women in Manipur.” They claim that the women are supporting “armed rioters.” The video clip depicts a large group of women encircling personnel in Itham on Saturday. The Army claims that during this incident, the women aided the escape of the “rioters.”

The video also reveals heavy machinery digging a portion of a road, surrounded by numerous women, suggesting that access to an Assam Rifles base is being deliberately obstructed to cause delays. The Army appealed to all segments of the population to support their efforts in restoring peace, stating that their aim is to protect lives and property in Manipur.

This statement followed an event two days earlier, when an estimated 1,500 Manipuri women reportedly surrounded Indian Army personnel in Imphal East’s Itham village. This action purportedly compelled the forces to release 12 holed-up militants from the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), a Meitei militant group. The stand-off was eventually resolved peacefully to avoid collateral damage.

Manipur women activists allegedly interfere in Indian Army operations, claims defence forces. Photo courtesy of Vikrom Sharma from Pixabay.

Manipur is currently witnessing one of the most severe ethnic conflicts in recent decades. The clashes began after a “Tribal Solidarity March” was organised by the All Tribal Students’ Union of Manipur (ATSUM) to protest the potential inclusion of the Meitei community, a majority in the area, in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, following a Manipur High Court order. The ST category, under Indian law, is granted specific reservations in government jobs, college admissions, and electoral seats as a form of affirmative action to address historical structural inequality and discrimination.

However, the Kuki community has expressed opposition to the inclusion of the Meitei community in the list, fearing potential job and opportunity losses due to the group’s demographic and political advantages. The ongoing ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities has reportedly resulted in over 100 fatalities so far.