Manipur violence: Govt issues 'shoot at sight' orders; 55 army columns deployed, RAF flown-in

Biren Singh appealed to people belonging to all communities to maintain peace

Orders for shoot at sight in "extreme cases" were issued and the army was called in as the situation in the violence-hit Manipur remained volatile on Thursday.

The Army evacuated over 7,500 people belonging to different communities while two companies of Rapid Action Force were airlifted to capital Imphal and were immediately deployed to control the law and order situation in the state.

Security forces fired tear gas shells and the army and Assam Rifles personnel carried out flag marches in several sensitive areas in Imphal and Kakching districts, where violence and burning of houses were reported since Wednesday. Mobile internet remained shut and curfew was in force as violence was reported from various parts of Churachandpur, Imphal, and Kangpokpi districts.

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Defence spokesperson based in Guwahati, Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said over 5,000 people were evacuated by the army and Assam Rifles so far and the process to reduce many others was underway. At least 55 columns of the army were deployed to contain rioting and while several others were kept on standby.

Demand for ST

Violence broke out in Churachandpur and Bishenpur district after a large number of people came out in support of the protest rally organised by the All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur on Wednesday. Several houses were set on fire and vandalized in Churachandpur district. The state-wide protest march was organised against the proposal for according Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community, which constitute more than 50 per cent of the state's population. Meiteis believe the ST will ensure equal land rights as they, at present, can not buy land in the tribal dominated hill districts. Tribals, mainly the Kukis are, however, against the proposal saying the same could pose a threat to their identity.

Manipur reported tension after Manipur High Court on April 19 asked the state government to submit a proposal to the Centre for ST status to the Meiteis. This, however, reopened an ethnic faultline between the Meiteis and hill tribes.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a telephonic conversation with Chief Minister N Biren Singh as the situation remained still volatile on Thursday.

Singh held a meeting on Thursday to take stock of the law and order situation and appealed to people belonging to all communities to maintain peace. Biren Singh recently faced political heat after four BJP MLAs resigned from their posts in the government. Most of them aired anger against the style of functioning of Biren Singh government. The ruling BJP, however, convened a meeting following which Singh claimed that all is well within the party.