Women activists were deliberately blocking routes and interfering in operations by security forces in violence-hit Manipur, the Army said, urging people to help it in restoring peace in the Northeastern State. Terming such "unwarranted interference" detrimental to the timely response by security forces, the Army's Spears Corps shared a video on Twitter late on Monday of some such incidents.
The statement came two days after a stand-off in Imphal East's Itham village between the Army and a mob led by women that forced the forces to let go of 12 militants holed up there.
"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. The Indian Army appeals to all sections of population to support our endeavours in restoring peace. Help us to Help Manipur," it tweeted.
The stand-off in Itham went on throughout Saturday, and ended after a "mature decision" by the operational commander keeping in view the sensitivity of use of force against large irate mob led by women and likely casualties due to such action, officials said.
Twelve members of the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), a Meitei militant group, involved in a number of attacks, including the ambush of a 6 Dogra unit in 2015, were holed up in the village, they said. The security personnel left with seized arms and ammunition.
Meanwhile in New Delhi, Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah here on Tuesday, two days after the restive state's Chief Minister N Biren Singh met him.
Nearly 120 people lost their lives and over 3,000 have been injured ever since the ethnic violence broke in Manipur nearly two months ago.
"The Governor of Manipur, Ms. Anusuiya Uikey called on Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri @AmitShah," Shah's office tweeted.
Singh met Shah on Sunday and after the meeting said he had briefed the Home Minister about the "evolving situation on the ground" in Manipur and that the State and Central Governments have been able to control the violence to a "great extent".
In another development, the Manipur Government has decided to invoke "no work, no pay" rule for its employees who are not attending office. The General Administration Department (GAD) has been asked to furnish details of employees who are not able to attend their official work due to the prevailing situation in the State. A circular issued late on Monday night by GAD Secretary Michael Achom said: "In pursuance of the meeting chaired by the Chief Minister on June 12 and decision taken at para 5-(12) of the proceedings, all employees drawing their salaries from General Administration Department, Manipur Secretariat are informed that no work, no pay may be invoked to all those employees who do not attend their official duty without authorised leave." Manipur Government has one lakh employees.