Time Digital Report: Indian security forces apprehended a dozen members of a militant group in the north eastern state of Manipur, hit by ethnic riots, but let them off after a stand-off with nearly 1,500 strong protesters, mostly women, at a village in Imphal East, officials said today.
The members of Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), a Meitei militant group, who were involved in a number of attacks, including the ambush of an Indian army unit in 2015 which left 18 troops dead, were hiding at Itham village, reports our New Delhi correspondent quoting the officials.
The stand-off between the security forces and the protestors lasted throughout yesterday and ended after a "decision by the operational commander keeping in view the sensitivity of use of kinetic force against large irate mob led by women and likely casualties due to such action", the officials said.
Among those holed up in the village was self-styled Lt Col Moirangthem Tamba alias Uttam, who is the suspected mastermind of the ambush of the Indian army's Dogra unit three years ago, officials said.
The 1,500-strong protesters led by women surrounded the Army column and prevented forces from going ahead with the operation. The security forces left the place after taking the weapons seized during the anti-militancy operation, they said.
More than 100 people have lost their lives in the violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur.
Clashes first broke out on May 3 after a "Tribal Solidarity March" was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
Meiteis account for about 53 percent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute another 40 percent of the population and reside in the hill districts.
The standoff between the security forces and the protesters came on a day when an all-party meeting held in New Delhi discussed ways to restore peace in Manipur rocked by clashes between Meteis and Kukis.
