In violence-hit Manipur, Army rescues 4,000 people; Amit Shah dials CM Biren Singh

By Anupam Mishra, Jitendra Bahadur Singh: Army and Assam Rifles troops have been deployed in several affected districts of Manipur after violence erupted during a “Tribal Unity March” called by the All Tribal Students’ Union in Manipur (ATSUM) in Dorbung area of Surachandpur. Opposition to Meiteis demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The army on Wednesday night conducted dominance exercises in the area to restore law and order in the state.

The Manipur government blocked mobile internet across the state for the next five days and imposed a curfew under Section 144 CrPC in various districts with immediate effect after the violence.

The army and the Assam Rifles were called in on Tuesday and Wednesday nights and the violence was brought under control this morning.

4,000 villagers were accommodated at various locations in Army and Assam Rifles Contingency Operating Base (COB) and state government premises. Army personnel also conducted a flag march in the area to bring the situation under control.

“So far, 4,000 people have been rescued and sheltered by the forces from the violence-hit areas and many more are being shifted to safer places,” an official told PTI.

“The flag parade is being conducted to bring the situation under control,” a security spokesperson told PTI.

Boxing champion Mary Kom took to Twitter to say her state was on fire and sought help from the government and the media.

The violence erupted during a ‘Tribal Unity March’ called by ATSUM to protest against the demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status by the dominant non-tribal Meithis in the Imphal Valley.

Amit Shah calls Chief Minister N Brain Singh
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Manipur Chief Minister N Brain Singh to review the situation after fresh violence was reported in the state. Amit Shah assured the central government of all assistance to the violence-hit state.

The Home Minister asked the Manipur Chief Minister to maintain the law and order situation in the state. After the talks between Manipur and the central government ended, it was decided that additional forces would be stationed in Manipur. This force will be drawn from the neighboring states of Manipur.

The Centre, which is monitoring the situation in Manipur, has also sent teams of Rapid Action Force (RAF) to deploy in violence-hit areas of the northeastern state, PTI reported.

Official sources said five companies of the RAF have been airlifted to Imphal and 15 general duty companies have been asked to be ready for deployment to the state.

About 15 CRPF companies are already available for recruitment in Manipur, the sources told PTI.