The order, issued in the name of the governor, states that
"fire on sight" can be used when consent, warning and rational power
"have exhausted and the situation cannot be controlled".
Amidst the violence, the Manipur government on Thursday
ordered a 'high alert' as clashes continue between the Meitei tribe and several
villages that have displaced more than 9,000 people from their homes.
The order, issued in the name of the governor, states that
"fire on sight" can be used when conviction, warning and rational
power "have exhausted and the situation cannot be controlled".
The notice was issued by the Commissioner (House) signed by
the State Government under the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure
1973.
To review the situation on the ground, Home Minister Amit
Shah held two meetings with senior officials of Manipur and the central
government through video conference today and called on three chief ministers.
Shah had a telephonic conversation with Manipur Chief
Minister N Biren Singh, who told him in the morning about the situation in the
state and the steps being taken to restore normalcy. He also held talks with
Chief Ministers Neiphiu Rio (Nagaland), Zoramthanga (Mizoram) and Himanta Biswa
Sarma (Assam).
Meanwhile, the army has been called upon to control major
violence that has ravaged Manipur's capital, Imphal, where several vehicles and
places of worship have been set on fire. The most sensitive part is Chirandpur
and Iffal.
In support requests to get help, the manipur manpir is
burning, helping to take book, providing the Prime Mondi, Minister of Modi Shah
in this subject. Mary Kom explained how dire the situation is in Manipur. She
said: “From the bottom of my heart, I call on the federal and state governments
to protect everyone. The situation in Manipur is very bad and anything can
happen.” The player added that everyone is suffering in the state.
The army is taking
more than 10,000 people to safety
The troops are required on the night of May 3 and may remain
on duty until May 4 until further notice for an extension. Troops and Assam
Rifles have been deployed to control the situation in Manipur where violence
has erupted amid communal violence, a spokesman said on Thursday. So far, the
army has rescued more than 10,000 people from the violence-affected areas and
given them shelter, he said, adding that many people were being taken to safer
places.
Assam's army and rifles were commandeered last night and,
together with state police, the forces stopped the violence in the morning, the
spokesman said. "Flag marches are being organized to keep the situation
under control," he said. In a statement Thursday, Manipur CM Biren Singh
said "precious lives were lost" and "this incident is the result
of a misunderstanding between two layers of society".
Mobile internet services were suspended statewide for five
days effective immediately, but broadband services were operational. The ATSUM
has called for protests in ten northern districts of the state against the move
to include most of the Meitei communities in the ST category.
The Valley Legislature has officially approved the Meitei
group's application for ST status for several communities in Manipur, a
community that has been harassing those in the Scheduled Tribe list. The
Meiteis, who make up 53% of the state's population, live in the valley, which
is about one-tenth of the former royal state. They say they are facing problems
due to "large illegal immigration of Burmese to Bangladesh". The
northern region that makes up most of the state's borders is mostly inhabited
by ethnic groups - including Nagas and Kukis - and is protected from aggression
by various laws.
People from the rural areas come in buses and open trucks to
the nearest district headquarters to attend the convention. In the
Naga-dominated town of Senapati, the seat of the district of the same name and
located about 58 km from Imphal, local bodies forced the total closure of
markets and the suspension of public transport from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to ensure
that as many demonstrators as possible take part in the rally.
Thousands of tribals - who make up around 40% of the state's
population - joined the processions, carrying signs and brandishing slogans
opposing ST status for the Meitei community.
Representatives of the Senapati District Students'
Association also met with the Deputy Commissioner and shared their concerns
with him.
Churachandpur At The Heart of Violence
At Churachandpur, the second-largest town in the state,
people defied prohibitory orders and gathered at the public ground and took a
rally till Tuibong.
Prohibitory orders were clamped for an indefinite period in
the town last week following violent protests against a drive to evict
villagers from reserved forest areas. Security forces were rushed to the town
from other parts of Manipur to control the situation after the vandalisation of
a venue where Chief Minister N Biren Singh was scheduled to address a
programme.
Similar rallies were also held at Tengnoupal, Chandel,
Kangpokpi, Noney and Ukhrul, where even school students were seen among
participants, police said. Meanwhile, counter-blockades were put up in the
Valley districts, including at Sugnu in Kakching district, in support of
granting ST status to Meiteis. Protesters shouted slogans demanding ST status
for the majority community as well as for protection of reserved and protected
forests.
The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM), which
is spearheading the movement for the inclusion of Meiteis in the ST category
said the demand is being made not merely for reservation in jobs, educational
institutions and tax relief but “more to protect our ancestral land, culture
and identity", which they claimed was being “threatened by illegal
migration from Myanmar, Bangladesh and by people from outside the state".