Manipur govt issues shoot at sight orders ‘in extreme cases’ amid violence

This came after the Manipur government imposed a curfew in most of the districts and suspended mobile internet services in the entire state for five days with immediate effect from Tuesday after the mass rally organised by the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) turned violent.

The tribal group was protesting 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 faultline in the state between the plain-dwelling Meitei community and the hill tribes.

‘Misunderstanding, communication gap between two communities,’ says CM Biren Singh

Following violent clashes in several parts of Manipur on Wednesday night, Chief Minister Biren Singh said the incidents were a result of a “prevailing misunderstanding between two communities” and appealed to the people of the state to cooperate with the government to maintain law and order.

After protest by tribal group turns violent, Army carries out flag marches

Following the violence, the Indian Army and the Assam Rifles on Wednesday carried out a flag march in the violence-hit areas.

#WATCH | Indian Army & Assam Rifles undertook major rescue operations to evacuate more than 7,500 civilians of all communities relentlessly throughout the night to restore law & order in Manipur.

(Source: Indian Army) pic.twitter.com/SXtR7rjsE1

— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2023

According to a statement released by the Indian Army, military and paramilitary troops were deployed in the area bordering Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts soon after the clashes broke out. Efforts are being made to evacuate affected people and restore law and order, the Army’s statement read.

“The columns of Army/AR with State police intervened to controlled situation in the night. The violence was arrested by the morning. A number of villagers, approximately 4000, were given shelter in Army/AR COBs and state government premises at various places. Flag marches are being conducted to keep the situation under control,” the statement further read.

BJP’s politics of hate responsible for Manipur violence: Congress

The Congress on Thursday said the BJP’s politics of hate was responsible for the violent confrontation between two communities in Manipur.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge appealed to the people of Manipur to exercise restraint and let peace prevail in the state.
“Manipur is burning. BJP has created fissures among communities and destroyed the peace of a beautiful state,” Kharge said on Twitter.

“BJP’s politics of hate, division and its greed for power is responsible for this mess. “We appeal to people from all sides to exercise restraint and give peace a chance,” he said.

‘Deeply concerned about Manipur’s rapidly deteriorating law and order situation,’ says Rahul Gandhi 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said he was “deeply concerned about Manipur’s rapidly deteriorating law and order situation”.

Deeply concerned about Manipur’s rapidly deteriorating law and order situation.

The Prime Minister must focus on restoring peace and normalcy. I urge the people of Manipur to stay calm.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 4, 2023

“The Prime Minister must focus on restoring peace and normalcy. I urge the people of Manipur to stay calm,” Gandhi tweeted.

‘My state Manipur is burning’: Mary Kom appeals for help

Boxing great MC Mary Kom on Thursday urged the Centre to help control the violence that broke out in Manipur.
The Army and Assam Rifles were deployed to control the situation in the northeastern state where violence broke out during a tribal agitation on Wednesday.

#WATCH | Delhi: I am not feeling good about the situation In Manipur. Since last night the situation has deteriorated. I appeal State & Central Government to take steps for the situation & maintain peace & security in the state. It is unfortunate that some people lost their… pic.twitter.com/y1ht24WiSc

— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2023

“My state Manipur is burning, kindly help,” the veteran boxer tweeted in the early hours, sharing photos of the violence, and tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The Army and Assam Rifles were deployed in the night, and along with the state police, the forces were able to arrest the violence by the morning, a defence spokesperson said.

(With inputs from PTI)