Lieutenant General Abhijit S Pendharkar, the General Officer Commanding of the Spear Corps, recently visited Imphal to assess the operational readiness of security forces deployed in conflict-affected areas of Manipur. This visit comes amidst ongoing efforts by the Indian Army to stabilize a region that has seen severe ethnic violence beginning in May 2023.
During his visit, Lt Gen Pendharkar engaged with personnel from various security agencies, including the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Manipur Police. He commended the forces for their professionalism and high morale while operating under challenging conditions. The review underscored the importance of inter-agency coordination, force readiness, and strategic deployment involving nearly 36,000 personnel assigned to maintain law and order in the state.
The current situation in Manipur remains volatile, particularly following the recent redeployment of Assam Rifles units from sensitive hill districts like Churachandpur and Kangpokpi. Their replacement by CRPF forces has stirred discontent among certain leaders within the Kuki-Zo community. However, government officials support this redeployment as a measure to optimize resource allocation, with the Assam Rifles being redirected towards managing border security along the Myanmar frontier.
Lt Gen Pendharkar, who has over 34 years of distinguished military service and experience with the Territorial Army, is anticipated to be pivotal in addressing the evolving security challenges in the region. His visit also coincides with the central government’s invocation of Article 355 in 2023, aimed at bolstering the mechanisms of state security.
The backdrop to these developments includes the High Court’s recommendation earlier this year to consider Scheduled Tribe status for the Meitei community, which initially ignited the ethnic tensions that have resulted in over 200 fatalities and the displacement of thousands. In this complex environment, Lt Gen Pendharkar’s presence also symbolizes support for reconciliation efforts, such as the National Convention on Peace, which aims to bridge communal divides.
The Army leadership has reiterated its commitment to balancing the enforcement of peace and fostering dialogue among communities. Their strategy ensures that security measures are sensitive to the region’s intricate ethnic dynamics while upholding territorial integrity and internal stability.
