The Army and Assam Rifles have been deployed, according to the spokesperson for the
defence, to calm the situation in Manipur where rioting erupted.
In the midst of ongoing protests by tribal groups against a court judgment on scheduled
Tribe designation, the Army today performed a flag march in violent regions of Manipur.
After violence broke out in Imphal, Churachandpur, and Kangpokpi last night, a curfew was
imposed in eight Manipur districts. The state of Manipur’s mobile internet service has been
halted.
To stop the violence from getting worse, the Army and the Assam Rifles were sent in. to
maintain control over the situation, the Army and Assam Rifles performed a flag march
today. Following the violence, more than 7500 people were given shelter in army camps and
government buildings in various parts of the state.
The Indian Army released a statement saying that it “remains committed to the welfare and
security of the people of Manipur”.
In response to the non-tribal Meiteis community’s desire for Scheduled Tribe classification,
the All-Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) organized a “Tribal Solidarity March” on
Wednesday in the Torbung area of the Churachandpur district. Numerous individuals
participated in the rally, which saw violence between tribal people and non-tribal people,
according to the police.
The majority of the Meitei community, which makes up 53% of Manipur’s population, lives
in the Manipur Valley. According to the Meitei, “large-scale illegal immigration by
Myanmarese and Bangladeshis” is the cause of their difficulties.
The Meiteies are prohibited from settling in the state’s hilly regions by current law.
On Wednesday, a location where Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh was supposed to
speak at a function was vandalized. To handle the situation, more security personnel were
hurriedly dispatched to the area from other regions of the state.