Manipur: '4,000 Weapons Out In Open’, Eastern Army Commander Calls For ‘Political Resolution’

The Lieutenant General said that initially, the Indian Army aimed to carry out rescue and relief operations for the people who were displaced from their houses.

New Delhi: Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita on Tuesday called the ethnic clashes in Manipur a "political problem." He went on to assert that the incidents of violence in the northeastern state would continue unless around 4,000 weapons, which were looted from security forces, were recovered from common people, reported news agency PTI.

Additionally, Kalita mentioned that India is providing refuge to individuals from Myanmar, including common villagers, the army, or police, in Mizoram and Manipur. However, he clarified that this does not extend to armed cadres of militant groups of drug traffickers

"Our efforts have been to contain the violence and motivate both sides of the conflict to come for a peaceful resolution of the political problem. Because ultimately, there has to be a political resolution to the problem," Eastern Command General Officer Commanding-in-Chief told reporters, reported PTI.

He further stated that initially, the Indian Army aimed to carry out rescue and relief operations for the people who were displaced from their houses.

"Thereafter, we are trying to contain the violence, which we have been largely successful. But because of the polarisation between the two communities, Meiteis and Kukis, some sporadic incidents keep taking place here and there," PTI quoted Kalita as saying.

Why Hasn't Normalcy Returned To Manipur?

Asked why normalcy has not yet returned to Manipur, he said there have been some legacy issues between the three communities that live in the state -- Meitei, Kuki, and Naga.

According to PTI, Kalita also pointed out that earlier there had been conflicts between the Kukis and Nagas in the 1990s when almost 1,000 people were killed.

"What has happened now is that both the communities have completely got polarised. Though the level of violence has come down, more than 5,000 weapons were taken away from various police stations and other places.

"Out of that, only about 1,500 weapons have been recovered. So, around 4,000 weapons are still out. Till the time these weapons are out in society, this sort of sporadic violent activities will continue," he added.

More than 180 people lost their lives and several hundreds were injured since ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur 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 (ST) status, according to PTI.

Refugee Crisis From Myanmar

Responding to questions regarding the refugee crisis from Myanmar, the Lieutenant General said, "Any instability in our neighbourhood is not in our interest. It definitely impacts us as we share the common border. The problem of the Indo-Myanmar border gets accentuated because of the difficult geography and terrain conditions, and lack of development."

He further stated, "We are giving shelter to anybody who is seeking refuge, whether it is a common villager or Myanmar Army or Myanmar Police. There is a due process that is followed. Whenever they want to come in, the weapons are separated obviously," reported PTI.

"Thereafter there is a proper identification, which is carried out so that the undesirable elements are segregated. We get in touch with the MEA and (Myanmar) Embassy. Generally, all these Myanmar Army personnel will be taken to Moreh (in Manipur) and then handed over to the (Myanmar) force," Kalita added.