Manipur violence: Situation improves but tension remains, Army rescues 13,000 civilians

By Afrida Hussain: The situation might have improved a little in the violence hit Manipur on Friday, but the fact remains that the state is in shambles. In several areas, several properties including houses, schools, churches and vehicles lie in the open after they were torched by angry protesters on Thursday.

Chaos had ensued in the state after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3 turned violent. More than 60,000 people are estimated to have attended the rally in the Torbung area of Churachandpur.

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Nearly 11 civilians were reported injured, with two others dying from bullet wounds in Saikul, Kangpokpi district.

So far, 14 companies of paramilitary forces, including the RAF, the CRPF and the BSF have been deployed in the state with more forces on their way. The Indian Air Force (IAF) used C17 Globemaster and AN 32 aircraft for sorties to violence-hit Manipur from Assam airfields.

The Indian Army issued a statement on Friday saying they have managed to rescue around 13,000 civilians who are currently staying in shelters within company operating bases and military garrisons.

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It added that Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Moreh and Kakching are now under control with no major violence reported since Thursday night. This also comes after the Governor of Manipur approved the state home department’s shoot-at-sight order. People in Imphal remained indoors apart from sporadic incidents of arson and road blockades.

The Director-General of Police (DGP) P Doungel said the state home department’s shoot-at-sight order is the last resort. “If the public go away quietly, there will be no need for that,” he added.

He also warned people that, “Flag marches are on and the Army does not deal in the way that the police deal with the public. They have been trained to fight the enemy, while the police are trained to control their own people… So we appeal to everyone to stay inside their homes calmly till the situation subsides.”

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P Doungel also appealed to the state’s citizens “to return the arms and ammunition looted by them”. “There is CCTV footage and we know the people involved in this. We appeal that the arms be returned in the next few days, otherwise we will be forced to take very stringent action,” he added.

He warned that if the ammunition is not returned, “those carrying arms will be dealt with severely”. To return the arms, people can leave them in one place and inform the police without identifying themselves, he added.

Overall, the situation is still tense in the state but the violence has been brought under control due to heavy deployment of forces. Security forces used tear gas to disperse mobs who gathered in some places in Imphal and curfew violators were punished.

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