Army deployed in violence-hit Manipur, efforts on to evacuate people

The Army and Assam Rifles personnel have been deployed to control the situation in Manipur where violence broke out during a tribal agitation over a court order on Scheduled Tribe status.

The Army and Assam Rifles were requisitioned in the night, and along with the state police, the forces arrested the violence by the morning, the spokesperson told PTI.

''Flag marches are being conducted to keep the situation under control,'' he said.

So far, 4,000 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.

CM Biren Singh appeals for peace

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh urged people to maintain peace amid reports of violence during a tribal agitation in the Torbung area of Churachandpur district on Wednesday night.

"Since 24 hours, some incidents of clashes and vandalism have been reported in some places. These incidents are a result of a prevailing misunderstanding between two sections of our society. The state government is taking all steps to control the situation," Biren Singh said.

The violence broke out on Wednesday during 'Tribal Solidarity March' called by All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in Torbung area of Churachandpur district to protest the demand of non-tribal Meiteis, who dominate the Imphal Valley, for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Thousands of agitators took part in the rally, during which clashes between tribals and non-tribals broke out, a senior police officer said.

Police fired several rounds of tear gas shells to control the situation, the officer said.

Agitated youths were seen gathering at Canchipur in Imphal West district and Soibam Leikai in Imphal East in the Valley calling for retaliation, the official said.

In view of the situation, curfew was imposed in non-tribal dominated Imphal West, Kakching, Thoubal, Jiribam and Bishnupur districts and tribal-dominated Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal districts.

Mobile internet services were suspended across the state for five days.

Expressing concern over violence in Manipur, Indian boxing superstar MC Mary Kom sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah's help to tackle the worsening law and order situation in Manipur.

"My state Manipur is burning, kindly help," she wrote on Twitter, tagging PM Modi and Shah.

My state Manipur is burning, kindly help @narendramodi @PMOIndia @AmitShah @rajnathsingh @republic @ndtv @IndiaToday pic.twitter.com/VMdmYMoKqP

— M C Mary Kom OLY (@MangteC) May 3, 2023