Northeastern state of India Manipur is burning. Governor issues Shoot at Sight orders, BJP MLA brutally attacked, IT official beaten to death.

In view of the prevailing law and order situation, the Governor of Manipur on Thursday (May 4) authorised all District Magistrates, Sub-Divisional Magistrates and all Executive Magistrates/ Special Executive Magistrates to issue Shoot at sight orders in extreme cases whereby all forms of persuasion, warning, reasonable force etc has been exhausted.

The order issued by the Home Department of Manipur stated, “In view of the prevailing law and order situation following the unwanted incidents that occurred at the Tribal Solidarity March 2023 held on May 3, 2023 and in order to maintain public order and tranquillity in the State, the Governor of Manipur is pleased to authorize all District Magistrates, Sub- Divisional Magistrates and all Executive Magistrates/ Special Executive Magistrates detailed by the District Magistrates concerned to issue Shoot at sight orders in extreme cases whereby all forms of persuasion, warning, reasonable force, etc. had been exhausted under the provisions of law under CrPC, 1973 and the situation could not be controlled."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and took stock of the situation in the state. Shah also spoke to the Chief Ministers of the neighboring states to help the state of Manipur to restore law and order.

On May 3, according to reports, a peaceful rally was organised by All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) condemning the Scheduled Tribe status demand by the majority Meitei community of the state which is when violence broke out in the Torbung area of Churachandpur district.

"All Tribal Student's Union Manipur (ATSUM) organized a rally in all hill districts on 03-05-2023 with total shutdown in all hill districts from 6 AM to 4 PM in protest against the demand of inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. During the rally and total shutdown there are reports on incidents like fighting amongst volunteers/youths of different communities and the situation is tense and volatile in the districts of Bishnupur and Churachandpur," an official said on Wednesday.

According to the social media posts, the Meitei community started the violence demolishing the tribal's houses, vehicles which resulted in clashes between the the tribals and the Meitei community and displaced over 9,000 people from their villages.

Source-Twitter

People were seen on the road and in the nearby forest with their belongings as vandalism and arson continue in several districts of the state.

Source-Twitter

Many have already been killed in the mob violence including an Income Tax department official Sh. Letminthang Haokip posted in Imphal who have been reportedly dragged from his official quarter by Meitei miscreants and beaten to death.

On Friday, a BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte was attacked by protesters, and taken to hospital. The MLA was airlifted out of the state in a critical condition. 

However, his condition got better and he is stable now. 

“We have received strict orders that if someone does any mistake they will not be spared. Army has received flag march orders,” said P Doungel, DGP, Manipur.

He added that following the deployment of the various forces the situation has slightly improved.

Earlier, both mobile and broadband connections were suspended in the state and Section 144 was imposed in several violence-hit areas of the state.

As many as 25 companies of central paramilitary forces, comprising around 2,500 troops, have reached Manipur since last evening to aid the state police force. While 11 companies of central para-military forces - largely CRPF and Rapid Action Force - were moved to Manipur on Wednesday night itself, 14 companies reached the state on Thursday. Another 8-10 central para-military companies have been deployed on Friday morning while Army and Assam Rifles are already deployed in Manipur.

The Indian Army on Friday said over 11,000 civilians have evacuated into their garrisons.

“When the violence erupted in Manipur from 3rd May onwards, Army and Assam Rifles immediately responded to distress calls and evacuated over 11,000 civilians into their garrisons. All basic amenities including food, shelter and medical assistance are being provided."

While over 1000 evacuated from Manipur and have entered into Cachar district of Assam to take shelter. The Cachar district administration made sure to make all arrangements for the refugees and has provided food and drinking water facilities in various parts of the district.

Boxing champion from Manipur MC Mary Kom also spoke about the situation and sought help from the Central Government.

"My state Manipur is burning, kindly help," the boxer tweeted sharing photos of the violence, tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.