The Home Department of the Manipur government has ordered district magistrates to issue shoot-at-sight orders in extreme cases of violent clashes between the Meitei community and hill tribes in the state. The order was issued in response to the mass rally protesting the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category, which led to violent clashes between the two communities.
The Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and police have been deployed to control the situation and undertake rescue missions. Curfews have been imposed in several districts, and mobile internet services have been suspended for five days. The violence has caused more than 9,000 villagers to be displaced, and relief camps have been set up for those affected.
The Chief Minister, N Biren Singh, has appealed for calm and cooperation in restoring law and order. “My humble appeal to everyone in the State to cooperate with the Government in maintaining peace & harmony at this hour.” Tweeted Chief Minister of Manipur.
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
On Wednesday, the Indian Army marched with flags across districts affected by violent incidents. “In the middle of the night, the columns of Army/AR with State police intervened to handle the situation. By daybreak, the unrest had stopped. Around 4000 villagers received shelter in Army/AR COBs and state government buildings at various locations.
Flag marches are being held to keep the situation under control, according to the statement, which also noted that military and paramilitary soldiers were quickly dispatched in the areas bordering the districts of Bishnupur and Churachandpur.
Meanwhile, opposition party Indian Nation Congress criticized the BJP on Thursday and claimed that the party’s “politics of hate” were to blame for the conflicts between the two tribes.
