Govt issues shoot at sight order in Manipur: What we know so far

IMPHAL: The Manipur government has issued shoot at sight order as last resort to control situation. The Army staged a flag march in violence-hit state on Thursday morning. The Army and Assam Rifles have been deployed to control the situation in the state after violence broke out during a tribal agitation, a defence spokesperson said.
Defence PRO Lt Col M Rawat said that the Indian Army and the Assam Rifles undertook major rescue operations to evacuate more than 7,500 civilians relentlessly throughout the night to restore law and order in the state.
"Responding to the request of civil administration in Manipur, Army/Assam Rifles immediately deployed an adequate number of columns for Area Domination in all affected areas in the evening of 3 May. Actions to evacuate maximum people to safer areas & restore law and order under way," news agency ANI quoted the Indian Army.





Union home minister Amit Shah spoke to Manipur CM N Biren Singh and took stock of the situation.
A few companies of RAF have been dispatched to the state, however, an adequate number of Army and paramilitary forces are already deployed there to control the situation, reported ANI quoting sources.

Since 24 hours, some incidents of clashes and vandalism have been reported in some places. These incidents are a result of a prevailing misunderstanding between two sections of our society. The state govt is taking all steps to control the situation: Manipur CM N Biren Singh
So far, 7,500 people have been rescued by the forces from the violence-hit areas, more people are being shifted to safer places.

On Wednesday evening, the Manipur government suspended mobile internet across the state for the next five days and clamped curfew under Section 144 CrPC in various districts with immediate effect.

The violence broke out on Wednesday during a "Tribal Solidarity March" called by All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in Torbung area of Churachandpur district to protest the demand of Meiteis for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Thousands of agitators took part in the rally, during which violence between tribals and non-tribals was reported in Torbung area, a senior police officer said.
Curfew has been imposed in Imphal West, Kakching, Thoubal, Jiribam, Bishnupur, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal districts. But broadband services were operational.

ATSUM had called for the march in all the 10 hill districts in the state to oppose move for inclusion of the majority Meitei community in the ST category. Lawmakers of the valley have earlier openly endorsed the demand by some Meitei organisation for ST status for the majority community in Manipur, alarming communities who figure in the ST list.
Boxing great MC Mary Kom on Thursday urged the Centre to help control the violence that broke out in Manipur.

"My state Manipur is burning, kindly help," the veteran boxer tweeted in the early hours, sharing photos of the violence, and tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah and defence minister Rajnath Singh.
(With inputs from agencies)
Watch Manipur violence: Curfew in eight districts; internet suspended