The Manipur government issued shoot-at-sight orders in “extreme” cases, said “precious lives have been lost”, and evacuated thousands of people from violence-hit areas even as the army and Assam Rifles were deployed to quell protests against the demand by the majority Meitei community for Scheduled Tribe status.
A Manipur home department order said that due to the prevailing law-and-order situation following “unwanted incidents” on Wednesday and to maintain public order and tranquillity, the governor has authorised all district magistrates and sub-divisional magistrates to issue shoot-at-sight orders in extreme cases when all forms of “persuasion, warning and reasonable force” fails and “the situation cannot be controlled”.
The situation in Manipur turned volatile soon after a solidarity march organised by the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur in the 10 hill districts to oppose the “persistent” demand of the Meitei community for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list. Manipur has a BJP-led government. In a 3.58-minute video released on his Twittter handle on Thursday morning, chief minister N. Biren Singh appealed for peace and cooperation to restore normality and said “some incidents of clashes, vandalism, arson have been reported in Imphal, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Moreh, among others”, and that “precious lives have been lost besides damage of properties”.
The chief minister said these “unfortunate incidents” were a result of the “prevailing misunderstanding between two sections of the people”.
Singh added that “long-term grievances” of communities would be “suitably addressed” after due consultation with people and organisations.
A media statement released by the chief minister’s secretariat said the chief minister chaired a meeting with ministers and MLAs to review the situation.
“To augment the state’s capabilities in dealing with the situation, two companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) has reached... and are being deployed in most sensitive areas. Steps have been taken to take out flag marches by military forces,” the statement said.
Singh also met ministers and MLAs from the Naga communities and appealed to them to help in restoring peace.
The chief minister said the government would take strong action against the “perpetrators of the inhuman crimes being committed”, irrespective of religious and community affiliation, and appealed to “stop attacks on religious places such as temples, churches, etc, immediately and not to lend a communal colour to the crisis”.
Home department orders issued during the day suggested the ground situation remained critical, including in capital Imphal.
The home department said people, officials and labourers who “are either stranded or feel insecure in their current location” can stay in three temporary relief camps set up in Imphal.
The home department extended the suspension of mobile Internet services by five days in the entire state. The department has also opened a helpline centre to provide assistance to those affected.
Guwahati-based army Pro Lt Col M. Rawat told The Telegraph that the army and Assam Rifles had been requisitioned on Wednesday night and Thursday to control the situation after violence erupted in areas of Churachandpur, Imphal and Kangpokpi districts.
“The Indian Army and the Assam Rifles undertook major rescue operations to evacuate more than 7,500 civilians of all communities relentlessly throughout the night to restore law and order in Manipur. The army remains committed to the well-being and safety of the population of Manipur,” Rawat said Boxing champion Mary Kom urged the Centre to help control the violence.
“My state Manipur is burning, kindly help,” she tweeted. Mamata concern Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said: “...I urge the Prime Minister and the home minister to first take care of Manipur, restore peace there. I also urge our brothers and sisters of Manipur to stay calm, uphold peace and harmony....”
