Army’s Weapon Seizure Attempt Thwarted by Women in Manipur
An attempt by the Indian Army to seize weapons and ammunition in the Bishnupur district of Manipur on Tuesday was thwarted by women-led protestors. The incident occurred during a routine patrol in the Kumbi area when army personnel intercepted two SUVs carrying arms. The occupants of the vehicles fled, leaving behind their weapons, which were promptly seized by the army.
However, a group of Meitei women known as ‘Meira Paibis’ quickly gathered at the scene and demanded that the weapons be handed over to them. The women argued that confiscating weapons from village volunteers left them vulnerable to attacks from militants in neighboring areas.
Despite the army’s attempts to disperse the crowd by firing into the air, the women remained steadfast in their resistance. The situation was eventually resolved when state police forces arrived and negotiated the handover of the weapons to the police. The army personnel have since withdrawn from the area, and the situation has returned to normal.
Protest Leader’s Statement
Jaya Khagenbam, a leader of the protestors, stated that confiscating weapons from village volunteers guarding fringe areas like Kumbi left them exposed to possible attacks by armed militants. She added that security forces should remember that their inability to protect villages located at the periphery of the Valley led to the emergence of the village volunteers.
Police Involvement
The Manipur Police reported that soldiers from the Mahar Regiment seized three AK rifles (along with seven magazines and 210 rounds of ammunition), five INSAS rifles (with 13 magazines and 260 rounds of ammunition), two SLR rifles (with nine magazines and 180 rounds of ammunition), two hand grenades, bulletproof jackets, and other items from the possession of the miscreants and took them into custody.
The police also stated that a group of womenfolk started gathering and blocked the road to prevent the movement of security forces. The District Police rushed to the spot upon being informed by the Army about the developing situation but were initially met with resistance from the womenfolk, who had snatched the weapons from the army personnel during an aggressive confrontation. However, teams of both Manipur Police and the Indian Army successfully broke through the obstacles created by hostile sympathizers and reached out to the teams at Kumbi PS. The recovered weapons and ammunition were kept in safe custody, the mob was dispersed, and the situation was brought under control.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the complex security challenges faced by the Indian Army in Manipur, where women-led protests can effectively thwart military operations. The resolution of the situation through negotiations and the handing over of weapons to the police underscores the importance of dialogue and community involvement in addressing security issues.
