SECURITY forces on the country’s northeast border have been placed on alert following reports that 900 suspected militants from war-torn Myanmar have crossed into restive Manipur state, a security official said.
Manipur has been rocked by periodic clashes for more than a year between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community, dividing the state into ethnic enclaves.
The hill-dwelling Kukis have cultural, familial and religious ties with tribal populations in Myanmar, where dozens of armed groups have been battling the military since it seized power in 2021.
Manipur government security adviser Kuldiep Singh confirmed on Friday that authorities had received reports from local intelligence agencies on a possible crossing by suspected militants.
“Nine hundred people are coming,” according to the assessment, he told reporters.
Singh said border posts had been “alerted” and security forces would conduct “combing operations” in the remote, rugged area.
After months of relative calm, fresh fighting erupted this month in Manipur between insurgent groups firing rockets and dropping bombs with drones, leaving at least 11 dead.
Last week, Meitei protesters marched through state capital Imphal to demand security forces act against Kuki insurgents they blame for the latest attacks.
Long-standing tensions be- tween the Meitei and Kuki communities revolve around competition for land and public jobs.
Fighting has forced around 60,000 people from their homes and killed at least 200, according to government figures. — AFP
