The Army held a flag march in Manipur today amid a protest by tribal groups over a court decision on Scheduled Tribe classification. Last night, a curfew was enforced in eight districts of Manipur after violence erupted in Imphal, Churachandpur, and Kangpokpi. Manipur’s administration has halted mobile internet access in the state.
The Army and Assam Rifles were dispatched to quell the rising unrest. The Army and Assam Rifles performed a flag march today to keep the situation under control. Following the violence, more than 7,500 people were given shelter in army camps and government office buildings across the state.
To restore peace and order in Manipur, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles conducted extensive rescue operations throughout the night, evacuating over 7,500 residents from all communities. “The Indian Army remains committed to the safety and well-being of the people of Manipur,” the army stated in a statement.
The All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) organised a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in Torbung, Churachandpur district, on Wednesday to protest the non-tribal Meiteis community’s want for Scheduled Tribe designation. According to authorities, thousands of people attended the march, during which violence erupted between tribals and non-tribals.
The Meitei people make up 53% of Manipur’s population and live largely in the Manipur valley. The Meitei claim to be in difficulty due to “large-scale illegal immigration by Myanmarese and Bangladeshis.”
The Meiteies are not permitted to dwell in the state’s hill areas under current law.
On Wednesday, a venue where Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh was supposed to speak was vandalised. To control the situation, additional security forces were dispatched from other sections of the state.Today, there were reports of violence in different parts of Imphal.