New Delhi: The Indian Army has released a video specifically on the alleged role of women activists in abetting those perpetrating violence in Manipur, a state roiled by ethnic riots since early May, leading to the death of over 130 people and the displacement of over 60,000 people.
The Spear Corps Twitter handle, which has been posting updates on the Army’s efforts to control violence in the state, released a video saying, “Women activists in Manipur are deliberately blocking routes and interfering in operations of security forces.”
“Such unwarranted interference is detrimental to the timely response by security forces during critical situations to save lives and property. Indian Army appeals to all sections of population to support our endeavours in restoring peace,” it said in the caption.
Women activists in #Manipur are deliberately blocking routes and interfering in Operations of Security Forces. Such unwarranted interference is detrimental to the timely response by Security Forces during critical situations to save lives and property.
🔴 Indian Army appeals to… pic.twitter.com/Md9nw6h7Fx— SpearCorps.IndianArmy (@Spearcorps) June 26, 2023
The two-minute, 13-second video showed faces of women participating in blockades and announced at the outset that “being human is not [a] weakness.”
A second caption announced that the video would be “Demystifying myth of peaceful blockade led by women in Manipur”.
Next, in footage captioned Itham village on June 24, the Army claimed that women had helped “rioters flee.”
On June 24, the Army had announced that it had “released” a dozen militants of the banned group Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup which it had captured in Itham village, after 1,200-1,500 people, mostly women, led a standoff against it demanding that they be handed over. The Army had then claimed that the decision was a “mature” one and “shows [the] humane face of the Indian Army.”
Meanwhile, controversy has broken out since Bhartiya Janata Party MLA Thounaojam Shyamkumar Singh said he was present at the spot, Hindustan Times has reported. The outlet said Shyamkumar has sought to stress that he had not asked security forces to release the men.
The video also showed footage captioned June 23 and ‘Yaingangpokpi in Imphal East, which carried text claiming “women folk were accompanying armed rioters.”
“Blocking movement of Security Forces is not only unlawful but also detrimental to their efforts towards restoring law and order… Indian Army appeals to all sections of society to cooperate with Security Forces working day and night to bring peace and stability in Manipur,” the video said.
Footage captioned June 13 and Imphal East’s Nunshung, showed a road blockade.
Indian Express has reported that that evening, a Meitei mob had burned down eight villages in Khamenlok. Later, in a reported counter-attack from Kukis, nine Meiteis were killed. Security forces had purportedly failed to reach the site.