New Delhi: Tensions escalated in Manipur’s Senapati district late Tuesday when a mob hurled stones at and vandalised an Assam Rifles camp, and set vehicles on fire, hours after a search operation was conducted in the area for armed cadres of the NSCM (IM), officials aware of the matter said Wednesday.
The NSCN-IM or National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) is a Naga nationalist and insurgent group operating in Northeast India. It has been under a ceasefire with the government of India since 1997.
Tuesday’s incident follows the killing of two Assam Rifles personnel in an ambush in Ukhrul district on 6 July, and the killing of one Assam Rifles personnel on 13 July in a suspected IED blast in Chumoukedima district of Nagaland. Four others were injured in the latter incident.
A defence source told ThePrint that the mob in Senapati district resorted to stone-pelting, arson and vandalism against an Assam Rifles camp on the night of 14 and 15 July.
“Based on credible intelligence inputs regarding the presence of armed cadres in the general area of Makuilongdi, approximately 2 km west of the designated NSCN (IM) camp at Oklong, an area domination patrol and search operation was launched by the Assam Rifles,” said the source.
He added that intelligence reports and social media posts indicated the presence of armed cadres moving outside designated camps. It was also believed that they were carrying weapons, and wearing uniform, an apparent violation of the established ceasefire ground rules.
Simultaneously, the Ceasefire Monitoring Group was formally informed regarding the reported violations, highlighting security concerns.
In the course of the operation, the Assam Rifles columns approaching the Makuilongdi and Oklong villages were obstructed by local residents, including women, said the source.
“The columns exercised maximum restraint and communicated with the local representatives, assuming that the operations were aimed solely at ensuring security and maintaining peace in the area, and that the columns would not enter any village without the consent of the authorities,” the source added.
As tensions escalated, reports emerged around 9 pm of a large crowd gathering in Senapati town, and preparing to march towards the Assam Rifles camp.
According to the source, despite the withdrawal of the columns, a large mob reached the camp around 9.30 pm and “pelted stones, damaged property, and attempted acts of arson”.
A senior police officer from Manipur Police told ThePrint that they used “minimum force” to disperse the crowd, and to prevent any escalation. The CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) too was deployed on the ground to control the mob and restore law and order.
“The security forces fired blank rounds and teargas grenades,” said the defence source.
Later, a section of the mob allegedly vandalised and damaged Assam Rifles vehicles.
“One light vehicle was set ablaze, two trucks were overturned, and damaged. A civil car was also burnt during the violence,” the source said.
The security forces managed to bring the situation under control and the crowd was fully dispersed by midnight. No injuries or casualties were sustained by locals or security personnel.
‘Nagas going through mental trauma’
A member of the Naga People’s Network Forum, an independent, voluntary platform for Naga citizens, tribes, and professionals across Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and elsewhere, told ThePrint that the situation has remained tense between the security forces and Nagas, especially after the incidents in Ukhrul and Chumoukedima.
“There were allegations that Nagas were behind those attacks. But there is nothing proven about who was responsible for those attacks,” he said, adding that security forces are travelling to each nook and corner of Naga-inhabited areas.
“The Nagas have been standing neutral since the conflict (Manipur ethnic violence) began in 2023. We were neutral even when our Naga brothers were killed, including the six Naga brothers in Leilon Vaiphei village,” said the member.
According to him, Nagas and the families of the men who were killed “are getting impatient when security forces are entering their villages”. “They are trying to guard themselves. They are on a 24×7 watch. They remain in bunkers, ensuring no stranger comes in.”
“Every time the security forces come in forcefully, to conduct checks, they get impatient. So, on Tuesday night, the mob had a similar reaction. They are going through mental trauma,” said the member.
The defence source said efforts are being made with civil society organisations and district authorities to address concerns and to maintain communal harmony.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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