Situation improving in violence-hit Manipur; curfew relaxed in 11 districts

Manipur is limping back to normalcy, almost a week after violence. The Army and central paramilitary forces are continuing their vigil in vulnerable pockets. Curfew was relaxed in four districts, including the most volatile Churachandpur district, for four hours on Tuesday. Mobile internet will remain suspended till May 13.

Curfew was relaxed in Imphal West, Thoubal, Jiribam and Churachandpur for four hours on Tuesday to enable people to procure essentials.

Widespread violent clashes, attacks and arson broke out across Manipur during a Tribal Solidarity March called by the All Tribal Students' Union of Manipur on May 3 to oppose the demand for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the ST category.


The ATSUM had called the rally in 10 hill districts, inhabited by tribals, to oppose the recent Manipur High Court order, which had asked the state government to send a recommendation to the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry to include the majority and predominantly Hindu Meitei community in the ST list.

Manipur CM N Biren Singh said a high-level inquiry would be conducted at the earliest to fix responsibility on the persons/ groups who instigated the violence and government servants who abdicated their responsibility.

Singh said: "Around 60 innocent people have lost their lives, 231 people suffered injuries and around 1,700 houses burnt in the unfortunate incident of May 3." He told media persons in Imphal that, "Around 1,041 arms and 7,460 ammunition were snatched. The government has recovered 214 arms and 4,273 ammunition."

"Superintendents of Police have been directed to identify vulnerable areas and ensure round-the-clock provision of full-proof security and protection for land and property, in the absence of their owners, with assistance of Central security forces, military and paramilitary forces, till resumption of normalcy in these areas. They have been directed to take immediate action as per the law against persons attempting to loot or occupy such land and property. Superintendents of Police will be held personally accountable for any lapses in this regard," he said.

He added, "Transportation of persons who have been stranded in various districts - Tengnoupal, Churachandpur, Kangpokpl, Ukhrul, Imphal West, Imphal East, etc - to their respective homes have started. As stranded people are being transported to safety, I request all not to hinder the efforts to transport families and people back to the safety of their homes. All efforts are being made to protect life and property."