Given the prevailing unrest in the state, the central government has taken a major move to implement Section 355 in the state to control the situation
Updated – Sat 06 May 23 03:01 PM
Given the prevailing unrest in the state, the central government has taken a major move to implement Section 355 in the state to control the situation
Imphal: At least 20 people have been killed in the massacre in Manipur state since May 3, a government official said here on Saturday.
Kuldiep Singh, a newly appointed security adviser to the Manipur state government and former CRPF chief, said at least 18 to 20 people were killed in a spate of racial violence in different parts of the state.
“More than 100 people have been injured in these numerous attacks. Since May 3, more than 500 houses, a large number of vehicles, shops and other property have been burned or damaged in these attacks, arson and vandalism,” retired IPS Official Singh told the media in Imphal.
He said 23 police stations in different districts, where the army and central armed police force had been fully deployed, had been identified as “most vulnerable”.
However, unconfirmed reports put the death toll at between 50 and 55.
He added that flag parades by the army and the Assamese Rifles continued in more than four districts, especially in the most volatile Churachandpur district.
Given the prevailing unrest in the state, the central government has taken a major move to implement Section 355 in the state to control the situation.
Article 355 is part of the emergency clause of the constitution, authorizing the central government to take all necessary measures to protect the country from internal instability and external aggression.
Speaking to the media, Manipur Police Commissioner P. Doungel said that after reviewing the overall situation, Section 355 has been implemented across the state, allowing the center to take all necessary measures to control the situation and protect life and human attributes.
The police chief said some criminals had snatched weapons from a police station in Bishnupur district, and he urged them to follow suit and that stern action would be taken against them.
“The situation in Manipur is expected to be brought under control within a day or two,” the DGP said.
A MoD spokesperson said: “The Indian Air Force is using C17 Globemaster and AN 32 aircraft to transport additional Army and Paramilitary troops from two airfields in Assam. Containment and evacuation of civilians from all communities in the affected area continues .”
The Manipur government on Thursday appointed additional Chief of Police (Intelligence) Ashutosh Sinha as the Chief Operations Commander to control the situation and bring the state back to normal.
More than 25,000 affected people in different communities have been evacuated and relocated to safer places, police said. “We urge people not to fall prey to any rumours, and to contact nearby police stations and government authorities if they need any assistance,” Sinha said.
Meanwhile, more than five Deputy Inspector General (DIG) rank officers and seven Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and SP rank officers of CRPF have been tasked with coordinating the deployment of various security forces amidst the violence in Manipur.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is closely monitoring the situation in Manipur around the clock, a senior official of the Manipur Home Ministry said.
Since Thursday, the Home Minister has held multiple video conferences with Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, State Secretary, DGP, Union Home Secretary and other senior officials.
Shah also spoke to chief ministers of several northeastern states to discuss the situation in Manipur and the well-being of students and residents of Manipur.
Northeastern state governments are in touch with Manipur authorities on safety issues of students residing in Manipur and people of Northeastern states.
The governments of Assam, Nagaland, Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram have set up a 24 X 7 helpline for the benefit of students and residents of Manipur.
The situation became highly volatile after thousands of people took part in a “tribal unity march” organized by the All Tribal Students’ Union of Manipur (ATSUM) in 10 hills on May 3 against demands to integrate the Meitei community into the intended tribes. St.) class.
In view of the current situation, the Manipur state government on Thursday empowered all district magistrates, divisional magistrates and all executive political magistrates to issue “instant fire orders” in extreme cases.
In an appeal to the people, the Chief Minister urged them to maintain peace and calm and cooperate with the state government. “Wednesday’s incident happened due to misunderstanding among the communities. The government will address the real demands and grievances after speaking with all communities and leaders,” Singh said in a video message.
On Wednesday night, the Manipur state government called up the Army and Assamese Rifles to control ethnic violence in at least six districts.
The tribes – the mainly Christian Naga and Kuki – make up about 40 percent of the state’s roughly 3 million people and live in the mountains that make up most of the state.
To protest the state government’s actions to evict them from forest lands and destroy illegal opium poppy cultivation in sanctuaries and protected forests, the tribes organized protest rallies in three districts – Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal – on March 10. 5 people were injured.
On April 27, fresh violence, including arson and vandalism of government properties, erupted in the Churachandpur district after tribes launched fresh protests against the state government’s crackdown on illegal poppy cultivation.
