Manipur Violence: Amid growing concern over violence in Manipur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday once again reviewed the situation. According to reports, he held a video conference meeting with state Chief Minister N Biren Singh and top officials from the state as well as the Centre.
During the meeting, the Home Minister was apprised in detail about the current situation in the northeastern states. Meanwhile, Shah asked the officials to restore peace as soon as possible though the situation there is under control.
A total of 10 more companies (around 1,000 personnel) of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) were also sent to the violence-hit state earlier today (May 5), following orders from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Shah also held review meetings on May 4.
Earlier on Thursday (May 4), Shah held two meetings through video-conferencing and spoke with chief ministers of Manipur and neighboring states including Nagaland, Mizoram and Assam in view of the prevailing situation. To keep the situation under control, five Rapid Action Force (RAF) companies of the Central Reserve Police Force along with other CAPF companies were also sent to Manipur on Thursday.
Read also: Manipur violence: Govt issues shoot-at-sight orders in violence-hit state
BJP leader attacked by protesters
Meanwhile, BJP MLA Vungjagin Valte was attacked by protesters on Friday and taken to hospital. Talking to the media, Manipur DGP P Doungale said that the MLA was airlifted out of the state for treatment and his condition is now stable. “We have received strict orders that if anyone commits a mistake, he will not be spared. The army has received orders for a flag march,” he said.
Around 1,000 people fled to neighboring Assam
According to officials, around 1,000 people from violence-hit areas of Manipur fled to neighboring Assam’s Cachar district by Friday (May 5). He said that people belonging to different castes have taken shelter in Lakhinagar Panchayat area of the district after crossing the interstate border. Cachar Deputy Commissioner Rohan Jha said that the district administration has made arrangements for those coming from the neighboring state and all necessary help will be provided to them.
In a tweet, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Many families affected by the recent incidents in Manipur have taken shelter in Assam. I have requested the Cachar district administration to take care of these families.” Sharma further said that he is in constant touch with his Manipur counterpart N Biren Singh.
As the situation worsened on Thursday, the state home department asked district magistrates to issue shoot-at-sight orders “in extreme cases where all forms of persuasion, warning, reasonable force, etc. under the provisions of law had been exhausted”. “
Read also: Manipur violence: Why did violence break out in Churachandpur before the CM’s visit?
About Manipur violence
It may be noted that on May 3, violent clashes broke out between tribals and members of the majority Meitei community in Manipur. The clashes broke out after a ‘tribal solidarity march’ was organized in ten hill districts to protest against the demands of the Meitei community. Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
The march was organized to protest the demand for inclusion of the Meitei community in the state’s ST category following a directive from the Manipur High Court on 19 April. This prompted the state government to issue prohibitory orders and suspend internet services for five days across the state. Along with a ban on large gatherings, night curfew has also been imposed in several districts of the state.
By Wednesday evening, the violence spread from the hill districts to other parts of the state, including the Imphal Valley, which has been practically under siege since then. Through Thursday, mobs torched houses and vehicles belonging to a particular tribal group.
(with inputs from agencies)