In the wake of the recent ethnic violence in Jiribam, Manipur, the Assam police have issued a stern warning to prevent any spillover of the conflict into the neighboring Cachar district. Assam Inspector General (Law and Order) Prasanta Kumar Bhuiyan made it clear that “This is Assam, not Manipur”, signaling the state’s resolve to maintain peace and security within its borders.
The violence in Jiribam, which borders Cachar, erupted on June 6th after the alleged killing of a 59-year-old farmer, Soibam Saratkumar Singh. In the aftermath, around 900 tribals belonging to the Kuki and Hmar communities sought refuge in the homes of relatives and friends in two villages – Haokippunji and Hmarkhawlienin – in Cachar.
Responding swiftly, the Cachar district administration has surveyed to identify individuals who have migrated from Maniour, as part of efforts to prevent the conflict from spilling over. Cachar District Commissioner Rohan Kumar Jha, Superintendent of Police Numal Mahatta, and their counterparts from Jiribam held a joint meeting to discuss confidence-building measures and the safe return of the displaced people.
“As a confidence-building measure, we have talked with the DCs and SPs of Jiribam. Those who have come to Cachar after the violence, we have been providing full security to them. As the situation has been improving in Jiribam, we are hopeful that the people can return to their homes. We will provide full security to the people for their safe return, “assured Cachar SP Numal Mahatta.
The Assam government has also urged the Jiribam residents seeking refuge in Cachar to consider returning home as the situation stabilizes. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has instructed the Cachar administration to maintain peace and prevent any spillover of violence from Manipur.
“Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday asked the Cachar administration to ensure that peace is maintained in the district and there is no spillover to violence from neighboring Manipur,” the Chief Minister’s office shared on X (formally Twitter).
To this end, the police forces of Assam and Manipur have collaborated in a joint effort to address the unrest in Jiribam. Last Sunday, they held a meeting to discuss the prevailing scenario and have intensified regular patrolling and area domination exercises along the Assam-Manipur border.
“In a collaborative effort, the police forces of Manipur and Assam last Sunday held a meeting to address the recent unrest in Jiribam district, marking the first such joint operation since the intercommunity conflict that erupted in Manipur last year,” the report stated.
The decision to work hand in hand comes as Jiribam, which borders Assam, has emerged as the latest hotspot of tension in Manipur. Trouble broke out in the district, which was previously untouched by last year’s conflict, on June 6th after the alleged killing of the 59-year-old farmer.
In response, the Cachar administration has provided full security to the displaced people from Manipur and is hopeful that they can return to their homes soon. The authorities have also requested the Jiribam administration to cooperate and help in the house-to-house survey being conducted in the border areas.
“Those who have come to Cchar to take shelter after the violence, we request them to return to their home and we have assured them that we will provide full security to them, ” said Cachar District Commissioner Rohan Kumar Jha.
The Jiribam administration has also expressed optimism about the situation improving soon, with Additional Deputy Commissioner Manoranjan Tokcham stating, “It is slightly tense, but it may improve soon because we are taking all possible measures”.
The Assam government’s proactive approach to addressing the situation and its commitment to maintaining peace and security in the Cachar district is commendable. By working closely with their counterparts in Manipur and providing humanitarian aid and security to the displaced people, the authorities are demonstrating their resolve to prevent the conflict from escalating and spilling over into Assam.
As the situation in Jiribam continues to be monitored, the Cachar police’s stern warning that “This is Assam, not Manipur” serves as a clear message that the state will not tolerate any attempts to disrupt the peace and stability within its borders. The collaborative effort between the two states’ police forces is a positive step towards addressing the underlying tensions and ensuring the safety and well-being of all the residents in the region.