These youngsters, mostly in their late 20s and early 30s, identify themselves as volunteers and say they have taken up the responsibility to keep their own safe as security forces "could not do enough to protect us".
Ethnic clashes in Manipur have led to deep divisions, displacing thousands and impacting daily life. The conflict has segregated communities, affecting travel, education, and basic necessities. Over 50,000 people remain in relief camps as politicians seek calm amidst ongoing unrest.
The Manipur ethnic violence began a year ago. To say "a year ago" is the strangest thing about the situation for a state that borders the troubled, junta-ruled Myanmar.
Women-led protestors in Manipur blocked the Army convoy to demand seized weapons. Despite firing in the air, the Army couldn't disperse the crowd. An agreement was later made for the Army to hand over the arms to the police, restoring normalcy
An army convoy that was ferrying 11 members of Arambai Tenggol was stopped near Imphal by a large group of women protesters, who managed to free the nabbed men from the army’s custody | Latest News India
The division between the Valley and the hills has been dangerously accentuated to the extent that people from Kuki areas do not venture into Meitei areas and vice versa. Even the officials prefer to stay in their respective localities. Around 13,000 Kukis and Zos have taken shelter in Mizoram following the Manipur violence.
Those protesting 197 police personnel belonging to the Meitei community felt that it was risky to do duty in the area.They urged the authorities concerned to post them at an alternative place for discharging their election duty.
Imphal, Apr 7 (PTI) Eleven months of conflict, over 50,000 displaced people and an anti-poll sentiment among few---the Election Commission in violence-hit Manipur is gearing up for the challenging task of holding Lok Sabha elections in the state where the poll scene is muted.
Strife-torn Manipur has not reported a single case of ethnic clashes, gunfights or killings for 41 days now, officials on the ground said on Sunday | Latest News India