Imphal: Army and paramilitary personnel are on intensive patrolling across the state after a clash between two sects turned violent in Manipur. Meanwhile, the Manipur government has ordered to shoot rioters on sight.
In Manipur, the Mede community constitutes 53 percent of the population. They are ST. They filed a petition in the Manipur High Court seeking status. In this regard, the High Court directed the state government to send a recommendation to the central government within 4 weeks.
Many MPs and MLAs have supported the demand of the Mede community. But the Naga and Kuki tribes, who make up 40 percent of Manipur’s population, are strongly opposed to the demand. Most of them are Christians.
In response to the demand of the Mede community, the Manipur Tribal Students Union organized a ‘Tribal Unity Rally’ in 10 districts of the hill region yesterday.
An armed mob attacked the Mede community during a rally in Darbang area of Surasandpur district. As information about this spread, retaliatory attacks were carried out in neighboring districts. Clashes between the Mede community and tribal people at many places turned violent.
A large number of shops and houses were looted and set on fire across the state. The violence continued for more than 3 hours in the Darbang area.
The state police could not control the violence. Following this, Army and Assam Rifles personnel were immediately dispatched to the riot areas. Police rescued 9 thousand people and sent them to safe places.
500 people of Kuki community from Langol area have been accommodated in CRPF camp in Lambelpet area. More than 1,000 people from the Mede community in the tribal-dominated Surasandpur district migrated to Vishnupur, Gwakta and Moirang districts.
The security forces and the police were on patrol throughout the night yesterday. To bring the situation under control, flag marches were conducted by the security forces in the areas where the violence occurred. Also, the Manipur government has ordered to shoot rioters on sight.
In a press release issued by the Chief Minister of Manipur, Brain Singh, he said, “The violence has occurred due to a misunderstanding. Central and state security forces have been ordered to take strict action against those involved in violence. People should remain calm.” “Violence is deeply painful,” he said.
Curfew has been enforced in Imphal West, Kaksingh, Daubal, Jiribam, Bishanpur, Surasandpur, Gangaphogpi and Thenu Gopal districts.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who spoke to Manipur Chief Minister Brian Singh yesterday, said that 5 companies of Special Task Force trained to control violence have been sent to Imphal by plane.
