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Syed Zarir Hussain in Guwahati
Women and children are preventing security forces from containing violence and enforcing law and order in Manipur, officials said on Tuesday.
"The biggest challenge we've faced in Manipur during the past 40 days of violent protests is from women and children who act as shields for mischief mongers," Manipur police chief A S Siddiqui told IANS on telephone from Imphal.
"We cannot be ruthless with women and children. Hence the intensity of violence is on the upswing," he said.
At least 19 people have been killed and 400 injured in violent protests in Manipur since the Central government extended a ceasefire agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (I-M) to all Naga-inhabited areas on June 14.
"During the daytime, you find school children in thousands taking to the streets, shouting anti-government slogans. At night you come across hundreds of women, holding torches, clashing with the security forces," Siddiqui said.
"This is a peculiar and difficult situation for the troops and protestors are taking advantage of this situation."
The extension of the ceasefire, earlier valid only in neighbouring Nagaland, to all Naga-inhabited areas has sparked fears in Manipur that the NSCN-IM would press for the creation of a "greater Nagaland." Four districts in Manipur have sizeable Naga populations.
During the past month, Manipur has witnessed angry demonstrations and protests spearheaded mainly by the All Manipur Students' Union and the United Committee of Manipur.
The women protestors form part of a local vigilante group called the Meira Phaibis, who have for decades been performing the role of community policing in Manipur.
"We patrol the streets at night with torches to prevent drug addiction and other crimes," Ira Devi, a woman leader, told IANS on telephone from Imphal.
"But now with our state's territorial integrity being threatened, we've decided to fight the government for our rights. Hence we are revolting. We are ready to sacrifice our lives for Manipur," she said.
The UCM and AMSU have threatened to intensify their campaign if the Central government does not revoke the truce expansion by July 31.
Indo-Asian News Service
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