Uneasy calm in Manipur as 7,000 troops get a grip; people urged to return looted arms

GUWAHATI/IMPHAL: Restive Manipur got a respite from clashes, arson and looting Friday as a 7,000-strong deployment of security forces spread out across Imphal and other districts, marching through streets in a bid to restore a semblance of normalcy after bouts of ethnic feuding triggered by the hill tribes' opposition to the majority Meitei community's demand for ST status.
Manipur DGP P Doungel urged looters to return the hundreds of service weapons that had been snatched over the past three days, including from the armoury of the Manipur Police Training College in Imphal East's Pangei, at least eight police posts and patrol teams. Anyone returning weapons voluntarily would be spared prosecution, the administration said.

'13,000 rescued from areas hit by violence'
The Army, which had been called in as the northeastern state spiralled deeper into violence fuelled by rumours despite an internet ban, said there was no trouble in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Moreh and Kakching past midnight Thursday.

"In the past 12 hours, Imphal East and West districts witnessed sporadic incidents of arson and attempts by inimical elements to enforce a blockade. A firm and synergised response, coupled with induction of additional columns, ensured control over the situation," defence PRO Lt Col M Rawat said.
Rawat said security forces had rescued over 13,000 civilians of all communities from pockets affected by violence. They have been provided shelter within armed forces' operational bases and military garrisons.
Northeast Frontier Railway cancelled two trains to Manipur for 48 hours, CPRO Sabyasachi De said.
Manipuris stage protest in Guwahati
The BJP-ruled state government appointed retired IPS officer of West Bengal cadre and former DG of Crpf Kuldiep Singh as the security adviser and additional director general of police (ADGP), Intelligence, Ashutosh Sinha as the overall operational commander to douse flames and bring normalcy in the state.
Manipuri people in Assam's Guwahati, who have a sizeable population, protested on Friday demanding action against those involved in violence in their state in the Manipur Basti area here.
The protesters under the banner of Manipur Co-ordination Committee, Guwahati, displayed placards with messages such as 'peace in Manipur should not be at the cost of our survival', 'no ST no rest' and 'no compromise on ST status for Meities, it is for our survival' written on these.
They raised slogans like 'refugees, go back' and demanded identification of culprits behind the clashes in Manipur and exemplary punishment for them.
Watch Manipur violence: Why Tribal groups are up in arms against Meiteis and what sparked the latest round of unrest in state