Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday to assess the situation hours after confrontations were reported in various areas of Manipur in connection with a large demonstration organised by tribal groups.
This comes after the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM)-organized mass rally descended into violence, leading the Manipur government to impose a curfew in the majority of the districts and halt mobile internet connection throughout the state for five days, effective immediately as of Tuesday.
Following a Manipur High Court order from April 19, the tribal group was protesting against the demand for the Meitei community in the state to be classified as a Scheduled Tribe (ST). The development has reignited a historical ethnic rift in the state between the Meitei population, which lives in the plains, and the hill tribes.
CM Biren Singh claims there is a communication gap and misunderstanding between the two communities.
Following bloody clashes in several areas of Manipur on Wednesday night, Chief Minister Biren Singh alleged that the incidents were the result of a “prevailing misunderstanding between two communities” and urged the populace to work with the state’s authorities to preserve law and order.
“We pledge to safeguard the lives and property of every member of our community. In consultation with the populace and their representatives, long-standing issues of various communities would also be appropriately handled in due time, Singh said in a video statement released on Thursday.
Army conducts flag marches when a tribal group’s protest degenerates into violence.
The Indian Army and the Assam Rifles conducted a flag march in the regions affected by the violence on Wednesday as a result of the unrest.
Soon after the skirmishes started, military and paramilitary personnel were stationed in the region bordering the districts of Bishnupur and Churachandpur, according to a statement issued by the Indian Army. The Army said that efforts were being made to evacuate those impacted and to reestablish law and order.
“The columns of the Army/AR with the State police intervened in the night 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 maintain control of the situation, the statement continued.
Violence in Manipur is a result of BJP’s hateful politics, according to Congress
The violent clash between two communities in Manipur, according to the Congress, was caused by the BJP’s hate-based tactics.
Mallikarjun Kharge, the president of the Congress, urged Manipur’s citizens to exhibit moderation and allow peace reign in the state.
“Manipur is in flames. The tranquillity of a lovely state has been ruined by the BJP, according to Kharge on Twitter.
“We appeal to people from all sides to exhibit calm and give peace a chance,” he added. “BJP’s politics of hate, division, and its thirst for power is responsible for this catastrophe.
Rahul Gandhi, the head of the Congress, expressed his “deep concern” about the peace and order situation in Manipur on Thursday.
“The Prime Minister needs to concentrate on bringing things back to normal. Gandhi tweeted, “I appeal to the people of Manipur to maintain calm.
Mary Kom pleads for help, saying, “My state, Manipur, is on fire.”
boxing master MC Mary Kom pleaded with the Centre on Thursday to assist in putting an end to the violence that erupted in Manipur.
To maintain order in the northeastern state where fighting broke out during a tribal revolt on Wednesday, the Army and Assam Rifles were sent in.
