The Indian Army has stated that the situation in the Moreh and Kangpokpi areas of Manipur, which witnessed clashes in the aftermath of a rally, has been brought under control and is now stable. The Army has also assured the public that all efforts are being made to restore normalcy in Imphal and Churachandpur areas. As a precautionary measure, additional troops have been deployed in Manipur, and the Indian Air Force will undertake flying operations to induct more Indian Army columns.
The violence had broken out on May 3 during a rally organized by the All Tribals Students Union Manipur, which was protesting against the inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the Scheduled Tribe category. The violence took place in the Torbung area of Churachandpur district, where members of the All Tribal Student Union Manipur had called for a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’.
The situation in Manipur has prompted Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to call an urgent meeting to ensure the safety of students from Meghalaya, who are studying in Manipur. Over 200 residents of Meghalaya are currently studying in Manipur, and the government is putting in place a helpline for students or family members to reach out to in case of emergencies. The state government has also suspended mobile internet for five days, along with a ban on large gatherings and a night curfew in several districts of the state.
The Indian Army has requested people to be careful about fake videos on the security situation in Manipur, including a video of an attack on an Assam Rifles post that is being circulated by inimical elements for vested interests. The Army has asked the public to rely only on content from official and verified sources. The Indian Army has been deployed in Manipur and has conducted flag marches to control the situation after violence erupted in parts of the state.
The situation in Manipur is a cause for concern, and all measures must be taken to ensure the safety of citizens, especially students. The deployment of additional troops and the redeployment of columns from Nagaland, along with the Indian Air Force’s flying operations, indicate the seriousness with which the Indian Army is taking the situation. It is important to restore normalcy in the state and prevent further violence.
