'Women activists in Manipur deliberately blocking routes, interfering in security forces operations'

Women activists in different places in Manipur are deliberately blocking routes and interfering in operations of security forces, defence sources said.

The defence sources said that in several places, groups of women in Manipur are purposely blocking routes and interfering in operations of security forces against unlawful activities. 

“Such unwarranted interference is detrimental to the timely response by security forces during critical situations to save lives and property. The Indian Army appeals to all sections of the population to support our endeavours in restoring peace,” a source said. 

On Saturday, security forces in Manipur's Imphal East district apprehended 12 cadrss of militants of the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) outfit, but had to hand over all of them to local leaders after a mob of around 1,500 people, led by women and local leaders, surrounded the forces. 

Self-styled Lt Col Moirangthem Tamba alias Uttam was also among the 12 militants. He was the mastermind of an ambush on the 6th battalion of the Dogra Regiment in 2015, the spokesman said. 

The spokesman said that keeping in view the sensitivity of use of kinetic force against large mobs and envisaged casualties due to such action, the officer on ground made a considerate decision to hand over all 12 KYKL militants to local leaders. 

The Army and the Assam Rifles troops lifted the cordon and left the area with the recovered weapons and ammunition. 

The Indian Army appeals to the people of Manipur to assist the security forces in maintaining law and order to bring peace and stability, a defence statement said. 

Meanwhile, an official of Manipur Home Department said that the security forces have tightened curfew measures both in the hill and the valley areas and detained 185 persons in connection with curfew violations in different districts. 

State police and Central forces conducted search operations in the vulnerable and fringe areas of Imphal West, Kakching, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur districts during the last 24 hours. The security forces also set up more than a 100 checkpoints in different districts to tighten the security measures. 

Meanwhile, Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday evening and apprised her about the prevailing situation in the state.