Several coloumns of the Army and Assam Rifles had to be hurridely deployed overnight to contain large-scale rioting that broke out across Manipur between tribals and the majority Meitei community, displacing over 9,000 people.
The Governor of Manipur on Thursday authorised officials to issue Shoot at sight orders, an official statement issued by the office of Manipur Governor said.
Clashes broke out on Wednesday which intensified overnight with counter-attacks being mounted by rival communities in retaliation to earlier attacks, after Naga and Kuki tribals organised a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’.
Curfew has been imposed in non-tribal dominated Imphal West, Kakching, Thoubal, Jiribam and Bishnupur districts, and tribal-dominated Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal districts. Mobile internet services were suspended across the state.
In the Imphal valley, houses of Kuki tribals were ransacked in several areas, forcing them to flee, police said. Some places of worship were also set on fire in the Imphal valley last night, they said.
Over twenty houses were also burnt in Motbung area of Kangpokpi district, police said. Violence was also reported from Moreh near the Myanmar border in Tengnoupal district.
So far, 9,000 people were rescued by the forces from the violence-hit areas, and given shelter, a defence spokesperson said on Thursday, adding that more people are being shifted to safer places.
The spokesperson said that some 5,000 people have been shifted to safe homes in Churachandpur, another 2,000 people were shifted in Imphal valley, and 2,000 people in the border town of Moreh in Tenugopal district.
The Army and Assam Rifles were requisitioned last night, and along with the state police, the forces arrested the violence by the morning, the spokesperson said. “Flag marches are being conducted to keep the situation under control,” he said.
A ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in the ten hill districts of the state on Wednesday to protest the demand of non-tribal Meiteis, who account for 53 per cent of the state’s population, for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
The march was organised by tribals whoi account for about 40 per cent of the state’s population, after the Manipur High Court asked the state government last month to send a recommendation to the Centre within four weeks on the demand for ST status by the Metei community.
Urging people to maintain peace, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said, “Precious lives have been lost, besides damage of properties, which is very unfortunate.”
However, the details of the deaths were not immediately available.
Singh said the violence was the result of “misunderstanding” in the society. “The state government is taking all steps to maintain the law and order situation and additional para-military forces have been requisitioned to protect the lives and properties of the people,” he said.
“Central and state forces have been directed to take strong action against individuals and groups who are indulging in violence,” he said.
