Amit Shah speaks to CM N Biren Singh, takes stock of situation in state
WEB DESK
The Army and Assam Rifles were deployed to control the situation in Manipur where violence broke out during a tribal agitation, a defence spokesperson said on Thursday.
So far, 7,500 people were rescued by the forces from the violence-hit areas, and given shelter, he said, adding that more people are being shifted to safer places. The Army and Assam Rifles were requisitioned last night, and along with the state police, the forces arrested the violence by the morning, the spokesperson said. Also Read – Huge cache of weapons recovered in Mizoram, two held “Flag marches are being conducted to keep the situation under control,” he said.
A ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in the ten hill districts of the state on Wednesday to protest the demand of non-tribal Meiteis, who account for 53 per cent of the state’s population, for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The march was organised after the Manipur High Court asked the state government last month to send a recommendation to the Centre within four weeks on the demand for ST status by the Metei community.
During the march in Torbung area of Churachandpur district, an armed mob allegedly attacked people of the Meitei community, leading to retaliatory attacks in the valley districts, which escalated the violence throughout the state, according to police. Several shops and houses were vandalised, and gutted in arson that lasted for more than three hours in Torbung, they said. Urging people to maintain peace, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said, “Precious lives have been lost, besides damage of properties, which is very unfortunate.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah today spoke to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and took stock of the situation in the state. Mr Shah assured all possible support to restore peace in the state.
Violence broke out in some parts of Manipur on Wednesday during the ‘Tribal Solidarity March’. It was called by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in protest of the demands for inclusion of Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe list.
A curfew has been imposed across several districts. The State government has also stopped mobile data services for five days.
The Centre is constantly monitoring the situation. Adequate number of para-military, security forces have been deployed to bring the situation under control in Manipur.