Army deployed in violence-hit Manipur; CM Biren Singh appeals for peace

Lieutenant Colonel Mahendra Rawat, Defence PRO Guwahati, said columns of the Army and Assam Rifles were brought in to control the situation Wednesday night. “The violence was arrested by the morning. Approximately 4000 people were given shelter in Army and Assam Rifles Company Operating Bases and state government premises at various places. Flag marches are being conducted to keep the situation under control,” Lt Col Rawat said.

He also said villagers are being shifted away from violent locations to safer locations and that more than 7500 civilians have been evacuated through these rescue operations. Sources in the Union Minister of Home Affairs (MHA) also said that Rapid Action Forces have also been deployed to supplement the current forces.

Sources said Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh Thursday and took stock of the situation. They added MHA is monitoring the situation and that an adequate number of security forces have been deployed in the state, including Assam Rifles, Central Police Force and Army personnel.

Additional companies of Rapid Action Force from the Hindon Airbase have also been sent by the Centre, they also said. “All efforts have been made to ensure security and normalcy,” added a source.

In the meantime, Chief Minster Biren Singh broke his silence on the clashes and said the situation arose because of a “prevailing misunderstanding between two sections of the society”.

Stating that incidents of clashes, vandalism, and arson have been reported from Imphal, Churchandpur, Bishnupur, Kangpokpi, and Morehm, he said, “The state government is seized of the developments and taking all steps to control the law and order situation. Additional central paramilitary forces have been deputed for deployment in sensitive areas. We are committed to protecting the life and property of our people… In this hour, I appeal to one and all to maintain peace and harmony in your respective areas. I urge you not to believe in rumours and unverified messages,” he said.

The chief minister said security personnel have been directed to take “strict action against individuals and groups indulging in violence.” He added, “Long-term grievances of communities will also be suitably addressed in due course with consultation with people and their representative organisations.”

He also said he has spoken to Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga in response to his enquiries about the situation with regard to the Kuki people living in Manipur. “I apprised him of the present situation that it was because of the misunderstanding and communication gap between the two communities. We are having around 35 communities together here since time immemorial… The incident which had taken place yesterday was due to misunderstanding and some communication gap and now, everything has been settled and we will be normalised very soon,” he said.

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga also tweeted about the “lengthy and fruitful conversation” with Amit Shan and his counterpart in Manipur. “I sincerely hope that #peace will be restored in #Manipur,” he posted on Twitter along with a letter he wrote to Biren Singh Thursday.

Had a lengthy and fruitful conversation with Hon’ble Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah Ji and Hon’ble CM Manipur Shri @NBirenSingh Ji.

I sincerely hope that #peace will be restored in #Manipur @narendramodi @dipr_mizoram @DiprManipur @TheSangaiExpres @BJP4Manipur @CMOMizoram pic.twitter.com/3JQWZ186we

— Zoramthanga (@ZoramthangaCM) May 4, 2023

The rally “solidarity march” on Wednesday was organised in protest against the demand for inclusion of the state’s Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, following an April 19 Manipur High Court directive. The development has reopened an old ethnic faulting in the state between the plain-dwelling Meitei community and the hill tribes.