Manipur Riots: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay on Friday called up his Manipur counterpart N Biren Singh and urged him to take care of Sikkimese residents and students studying in the state. Taking to social media, the Sikkim chief minister said Singh assured Tamang that the Manipur government would provide all possible help to Sikkimese students and residents of Manipur.
Golay said that the people of Sikkim should take care of their safety and well-being and stay indoors or in a safe place. “I urge all citizens of Sikkim in Manipur to remain calm and carry an identity card with you at all times,” he said. Tamang urged parents, guardians and family members not to panic and said that he was constantly monitoring the situation in Manipur and would take all appropriate measures for the safety of students and residents of Sikkim.
emergency number
According to Golay, Manipur MLA Rameshwar Singh and Chief Minister’s Office PRO RM Pradhan are coordinating and monitoring the situation. The following telephone numbers can be used to reach them: Rameshwar Singh: 7085436983/8730965059, PRO, Government of Sikkim, RM Pradhan, 97351 23333. Security of Sikkimese students enrolled in vocational programs in Imphal. Pathak informed the senior officials present in the meeting that the state government is working under the direction of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang to provide necessary security for the safety of Sikkimese students studying in Manipur. According to Sikkim Chief Secretary, adequate force has been deployed in Manipur in colleges and hostels where Sikkimese students are enrolled and staying.
helpline number gangtok
A helpline number, 03592 299959 (8 AM to 8 PM) has been set up at Tashiling Secretariat in Gangtok for the benefit of Sikkimese students in Manipur as per the order of the Chief Secretary. To monitor the current situation in Manipur and guarantee necessary assistance in case of emergency, Pathak said the Sikkim administration will maintain constant contact with the Manipur government. Director General of Police AK Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Home, Namrata Thapa, IPR Secretary and other officers were present in the meeting.
Manipur is burning
Occasional firing between militant groups and security personnel was reported from the hilly areas surrounding the valley. Imphal Valley in Manipur remained calm but tense on Friday.
Violence broke out in Torbang area of Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Wednesday during the “Tribal Solidarity March” organized by the All Tribal Student’s Union Manipur (ATSUM) to condemn the Meitei’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
According to the police, an armed mob allegedly attacked members of the Meitei community during the march in Torbung, sparking retaliation in areas of the Valley and raising the level of violence across the state. Meites constitute about 53% of the population of Manipur and are mainly found in the Imphal Valley. The other 40% of the population is made up of tribes, mainly in the hill districts that surround the valley and include the Nagas and the Kukis.