The Indian Army conducted a flag march on Thursday in the violence-hit areas of Manipur, where a protest by tribal groups over a court order on Scheduled Tribe status has turned violent. Curfew was imposed in eight districts of Manipur after the clashes erupted in Imphal, Churachandpur, and Kangpokpi. The government has suspended mobile internet services in the state to prevent the spread of fake news and rumors. Army and Assam Rifles personnel have been deployed to contain the escalating violence. Nearly 4,000 people have taken shelter in army camps and government office premises across the state.
The All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) called a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ on Wednesday in the Torbung area of Churachandpur district to protest against the non-tribal Meiteis community’s demand for a Scheduled Tribe status. The police reported that thousands participated in the rally, during which violence broke out between tribals and non-tribals. The Meitei community, which makes up 53% of Manipur’s population and primarily inhabits the Manipur valley, claims that they are facing difficulty due to “large-scale illegal immigration by Myanmarese and Bangladeshis.” As per existing law, the Meiteies are not allowed to settle in the hill areas of the state.
The situation remains volatile in the state, and curfew has been imposed in non-tribal-dominated Imphal West, Kakching, Thoubal, Jiribam, and Bishnupur districts and tribal-dominated Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Tengnoupal districts. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh was scheduled to address a program on Wednesday, which was later vandalized. Additional security forces were rushed to the location from other parts of the state to control the situation.
The protests have been ongoing for several days, with the tribal groups demanding that the Manipur government appeal a Supreme Court ruling that the Meitei community should be included in the list of Scheduled Tribes. Scheduled Tribes are communities that are given certain benefits and protections under the Indian Constitution. The tribal groups believe that this move will dilute their own rights and threaten their existence. The situation is tense, and the government is taking measures to prevent further violence and restore peace in the region.
