Manipur Violence A 'Result Of A Prevailing Misunderstanding': CM Singh Urges People To Maintain Harmony
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday spoke to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and took stock of the situation in the state where violence broke out during a tribal agitation.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday urged people to maintain peace amid reports of violence during a tribal agitation in the Torbung area of Churachandpur district on Wednesday night. His video message comes as earlier in the day, he spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and briefed him about the ground situation and the steps taken to restore peace. Violence broke out and tension escalated during a rally organised by the All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM). The silent rally by ATSUM, protesting against the inclusion of the Meitei/Meetei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, turned ugly with protestors being severely injured.
During the last around 24 hours, some incidents of clashes and vandalism have been reported in some places, Manipur CM N Biren Singh said. "These incidents are a result of a prevailing misunderstanding between two sections of our society. The state govt is taking all steps to control the situation", he added in the video address.
The state government is taking all steps to maintain the law and order situation and additional para-military forces have been requisitioned to protect the lives and properties of the people, the Chief Minister mentioned.
My humble appeal to everyone in the State to cooperate with the Government in maintaining peace & harmony at this hour. pic.twitter.com/qViqbuflWr
— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) May 4, 2023
Manipur Violence: Union Home Minister Amit Shah Takes Stock Of Situation
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday spoke to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and took stock of the situation in the state where violence broke out during a tribal agitation, news agency PTI reported citing officials.
The Centre, which is monitoring the situation in Manipur, has also dispatched teams of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) for deployment in violence-hit areas of the Northeastern state. The RAF is a specialised force to handle riot-like situations.
As per PTI, officials said that Shah was briefed about the ground situation and the steps taken to restore peace. Apart from Army and Assam Rifles, sufficient number of paramilitary forces were also available in Manipur for deployment in violence-hit areas.
Responding to the request of Civil Administration in Manipur, the Army or the Assam Rifles immediately deployed an adequate number of Columns for Area Domination in all affected areas of Manipur on the evening of May 3. Action to evacuate the maximum number of people to safer areas and restore law and order is underway, the Indian Army said. The columns of the Army and Assam Rifles along with Manipur police intervened promptly to control the situation.
Manipur Violence: Indian Army & Assam Rifles Evacuate Over 7,500 Civilians To Restore Law & Order
The Indian Army and Assam Rifles evacuate more than 7,500 civilians of all communities relentlessly throughout the night to restore law and order in Manipur, a defence spokesperson said, as per PTI.
Violence was controlled by the morning, however, approximately 4,000 villagers were provided shelter in various Army/Assam Rifles camps and on state government premises at various locations. Flag marches were also conducted to keep the situation under control. Shifting of villagers to safer areas is in progress.
On Wednesday, the Manipur government ordered the suspension of mobile internet services for five more days in the wake of fresh violence in the Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts. Violence broke out and tension escalated during a rally organised by the All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM). The silent rally by ATSUM, protesting against the inclusion of the Meitei/Meetei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, all of a sudden turned ugly with protestors being severely injured.
According to a statement issued by P Doungel, the Director General of Police (DGP), Manipur, "The situation is still tense and volatile in the hill districts of Bishnupur and Churachandpur. Some anti-social elements are using social media extensively for circulating images, hate speech and hate video messages inciting the passions of the public. Social media has become a handy tool for rumour-mongers and is being used to incite the general public which might have serious repercussions for the law and order situation in the state.
On the other hand, in view of the prevailing law and order situation in the Bishnupur district, the Deputy Commissioner of the violence-torn district has passed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), to prevent any breach of peace, disturbance to public tranquility and danger to human life and property,
The prohibitory order signed by Bishnupur Deputy Commissioner Lourembam Bikram read, “With this, the Bishnupur district administration has termed assembly of five or more persons unlawful in the area. Moreover, carrying sticks, stones, firearms and weapons of any description or objects which can be used as offensive weapons have been prohibited as a preventive measure that is likely to prevent a breach of peace, disturbance to public tranquility and grave danger to human lives and properties.”
Trouble started brewing in the state on April 27, 2023, after incidents of violence, including vandalising of government properties, arson and subsequently setting the venue, where Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh was scheduled to inaugurate a facility, was reported after agitated crowds, led by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum, who objected to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government's survey of reserved and protected forest areas besides the wetlands in the state, went on a rampage.
Meanwhile, the Manipur police have claimed that the Myanmarese nationals, who have illegally entered the state, were also involved in the arson. Moreover, the forum has accused the state government of having demolished a few churches in the state.
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