Manipur Violence: Sporadic Arson In Imphal, CRPF Commando Killed In Churachandpur — Top Updates

Manipur Violence Updates: 13,000 civilians were rescued in Manipur's Imphal East and West districts that witnessed sporadic incidents of arson. A CRPF CoBRA commando on leave was shot dead by assailants in his village in Churachandpur.

Charred vehicles which were set ablaze following tribal groups' protests over court order on Scheduled Tribe status, in Imphal, Manipur, Friday, May 5, 2023.

Source : PTI

The Indian Army on Friday said that Manipur's Imphal East and West districts witnessed sporadic incidents of arson and attempts by inimical elements to establish a blockade, but a firm and synergised response coupled with the induction of additional columns ensured control of security forces over the situation. More security forces were rushed in from other states by road and air to calm down the state which had witnessed bloody ethnic rioting. It was further informed that a total of 13,000 civilians were rescued. The Spear Corps informed that the rescued persons are staying in ad-hoc arrangements within military premises.

Manipur Violence:  Arson In Imphal, CPRF Calls Back Manipur-Bound Personnel After Commando Killed — Top Developments

• The Army stated that its proactive and timely response ensured that Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Moreh and Kakching were under firm control with "no major violence reported since Thursday night. As for the sporadic incidents of arson in Imphal East and West districts, "Proactive rescue operations, conduct of flag marches, area domination, interaction with locals/ influencers to reassure them of their personal safety among major activities undertaken by over 100 columns which are operationally deployed", the Spear Corps informed in a tweet.
  
  
• Many people with bullet injuries are being treated at the Regional Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) in Imphal West district and Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, news agency PTI reported. While an official death toll has not been revealed, 36 bodies, stated to be victims of the clashes, were brought to the morgue of the RIMS morgue, PTI reported sources in the hospital as saying on Friday night.
  
  The bodies were brought from districts such as Imphal East and West, Churachandpur, and Bishenpur, PTI's report mentioned.
  
  
• The CRPF on Friday directed all its personnel hailing from Manipur and on leave in their home state to immediately report to their nearest security base with family members in the wake of a CoBRA commando being killed in the ongoing violence in the state.
  
  
• A CRPF CoBRA commando on leave was shot dead by assailants in his village in Manipur's Churachandpur district on Friday, officials told PTI. The deceased constable was identified as Chonkholen Haokip of the delta company of the 204th CoBRA battalion. He was killed around 2-3 pm, they said. The circumstances of his death are not clear, but it is understood that some assailants donning police-like attire entered his village and killed him, senior officials told PTI.
  
  
• An Income Tax department official posted in Imphal was killed, the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) Association said on Friday. In a tweet, it said that the association strongly condemns the dastardly act of violence resulting in the death of Sh. Letminthang Haokip, tax assistant in Imphal. 
  
  
• M Amit Singh, Additional Superintendent of Police (SP), Imphal said that a team of Imphal district police recovered arms and ammunition that were snatched from security forces from different areas of Manipur. "Anybody who has knowledge or possession of arms and ammunition must contact the nearest police station and deposit it. Everybody should follow the law given by the district administration from time to time," he told news agency ANI.
  
  
• In view of the prevailing situation in Manipur, IndiGo said that it will operate two special additional flights from Imphal to Kolkata on May 6, 2023, adding more capacity for travellers flying out from the state.
  
  
• P Doungel, Director general of police (DGP), Manipur told ANI that the situation has improved in the violence-hit state because of the security forces. "We have received strict orders that we must not spare those who contribute to violence and strict action must be taken against them," he said.
  
  
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday reviewed the situation in Manipur with Chief Minister N Biren Singh and top officials. The chief minister, the state's chief secretary and director general of police, union home secretary and other senior officials attended the meeting, PTI reported sources as saying. Around 1,000 more central paramilitary personnel with anti-riot vehicles reached Manipur on Friday, they said.
  
  Article 355 of the Constitution has not been invoked in Manipur, PTI sources said. Under this provision, the central government can handle the law and order machinery of a state. 
  
  
• Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar directed the state chief secretary to talk to his counterpart in Manipur to provide adequate security to people from the state living there. He also asked the chief secretary to make arrangements for the safe return of those who are willing to come back to their native places in the eastern state.

Violence first erupted in the Torbung area in Churachandpur district during the 'Tribal Solidarity March' organised by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) on Wednesday to protest the demand of Meitei community, which accounts for 53 per cent of the state's population, for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The march was organised by tribals, who account for about 40 per cent of the state’s population, 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 Meitei community.