Manipur Violence: Northeast Frontier Railway Stops All Trains, Assam Pledges Full Support To State

Manipur Violence: Northeast Frontier Railway has stopped all Manipur-bound trains as the law and order situation in the state continues to be a cause of concern. The decision was taken after the BJP government advised for the same.

Due to the law and order situation in Manipur, Northeast Frontier Railway has stopped all Manipur-bound trains. This comes as the situation in the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled state deteriorated and the Manipur government on Thursday issued 'shoot at sight' orders to contain spiralling violence between tribals and the majority Meitei community. 55 columns of the Army and Assam Rifles had to be deployed to contain widespread rioting which has displaced over 9,000 people from their villages.

"No trains are entering Manipur till the situation is improved. The decision has been taken after the Manipur government advised to stop train movement," Sabyasachi De, Chief Public Relations Officer of Northeast Frontier Railway told news agency ANI.

ANI reported Indian Railways as stating that four trains have been cancelled for May 5 and 6 initially.

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Sarma on Friday informed that the District Administration of Cachar will take care of Manipur families who sought refuge in Assam. In a tweet, he also stated that he was in constant communication with his Manipur counterpart N Biren Singh and pledged the full support of the Assam Government.

"Several families affected by the recent incidents in Manipur have sought refuge in Assam. I have requested the District Administration of Cachar to take care of these families. I am also in constant communication with the HCM N Biren Singh and have pledged the full support of the Assam Government during this hour of crisis," Assam CM Himanta Sarma tweeted.

News agency PTI reported multiple sources as saying that the fighting between communities had left more than a score of people dead and several scores more injured. However, the police were unwilling to confirm this.

Indian Army on Thursday informed that the situation in Moreh and Kangpokpi was brought under control and is stable. All efforts are underway to restore normalcy in Imphal and Churachandpur, the Spear Corps informed in a tweet. A precautionary build-up of additional troops in Manipur will continue. Additional columns were also redeployed from Nagaland. In addition, Indian Air Force will be undertaking flying operations to induct additional Indian Army columns commencing from Guwahati and Tezpur.

The Army also warned against fake videos being circulated on the security situation in Manipur including a video of an attack on Assam Rifles by "inimical elements for vested interests", requesting all to rely on content through official and verified sources only.

In an important development, the Manipur government on Thursday issued 'shoot at sight' orders to contain spiralling violence.

Manipur Violence: Clashes Broke Out During ATSUM Rally

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, went on a rampage. The forum objected to the BJP-led state government's survey of reserved and protected forest areas besides the wetlands in the state.

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.