The government said in a statement on Friday (June 2) that ethnic violence in Manipur erupted a month ago, killing at least 98 people and injuring 310 others. According to the statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), there are currently 37,450 people in 272 relief camps. Since the outbreak of violence in the state on May 3, 4,014 cases of arson have been reported, according to the report.
"The number of deaths is 98 and the number of injured reported is 310," it said.
According to the statement, the state police have registered 3,734 cases and arrested 65 people for their involvement in the violence in the last month. "Sporadic incidents of miscreants firing or torching houses are becoming rare now as a coordinated effort is made by different security agencies," it said.
The Army, Assam Rifles, CAPFs, and local police have been deployed in high-risk areas. According to the statement, 84 companies of the central armed forces have been deployed so far. "More companies are being deployed. Flag march and area domination exercises are being carried out widely. Search operations will be conducted from today to recover snatched arms and ammunition," it said.
The government pleaded with the people to return the stolen weapons and ammunition. "Stringent legal action will be taken against any person if caught with snatched arms and ammunition," it said.
According to the statement, security agencies have recovered 144 weapons and 11 magazines so far.
Meetings with village heads and civil society organisations were being held to resolve conflict and bring peace, it said, claiming that the situation was normal in most districts.
The curfew has been relaxed for 12 hours in Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, and Pherzawl, 11 hours in Kangpokpi, 10 hours in Churachandpur and Chandel, eight hours in Jiribam and Tenugopal, and seven hours in Thoubal and Kakching.
Tamenglong, Noney, Senapati, Ukhrul, and Kamjong have no curfew, according to the statement.
"Movement of essential items along the NH-37 has been ensured," according to the statement, which noted that approximately 450 trucks were on the move with essential items.
An uneasy calm reigned in Manipur a day after Home Minister Amit Shah concluded his four-day visit and announced a slew of measures to restore normalcy.
Clashes erupted on May 3 following a 'Tribal Solidarity March' in the hill districts to protest the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. It is to be noted that Meiteis make up about 53% of Manipur's population and live primarily in the Imphal Valley. Tribal Nagas and Kukis make up another 40% of the population and live in the hill districts.