Global Courant 2023-05-07 00:32:31
Authorities had imposed an internet blackout and in “extreme cases” issued fire on sight orders in an attempt to contain the violence.
New violence has hit India’s remote northeastern region, local media reported, despite authorities rushing with troops to restore order after ethnic clashes.
Thousands of soldiers have been sent to Manipur state after a tribal protest march turned violent on Wednesday.
The situation remained tense after another bout of violence on Friday night, hours after the state’s top police officer warned rioters had been stealing guns and ammunition from police stations.
Authorities imposed an internet blackout and in “extreme cases” issued shooting-on-sight orders in an effort to contain the unrest.
Hospital morgues in the capital Imphal and Churachandpur district further south had reported a total of 54 deaths.
Kuldeep Singh, security adviser to the Manipur government, told journalists in the capital Imphal that 18 to 20 deaths have been reported, “although we are still verifying whether these deaths occurred as a result of the recent violence or related to other incidents.”
“About 100 people were injured and treated in different hospitals,” Singh said, adding that more than 500 houses have burned down in recent days and some vehicles have also been set on fire.
Manipur Police Director General P. Doungel said orders have been issued to take firm action against anyone involved in acts of violence.
“We have asked the military to organize flag marches in areas affected by violence and have instructed the armed forces to take strict action against anyone involved in violence,” Doungel told reporters.
The internet blackout has hampered the flow of information from Manipur and details of the latest clashes have remained scarce.
An Indian army unit in the neighboring state of Nagaland said 13,000 people had sought shelter from the violence.
On Thursday, security forces fired tear gas in Imphal to disperse protesters, some of whom had set fire to vehicles and homes in parts of the city.
Burnt-out vehicles were seen on otherwise empty streets due to the imposition of a 24-hour curfew.
Defense officials said Friday that additional troops had been brought into the state by road and air.
The Meitei people, the largest ethnic group in the state, have campaigned to get the planned tribal status, while the other recognized tribes in Manipur have opposed the move.
India is reserving some government jobs, university admissions and elected seats, from village councils to parliament, for communities under the planned tribal category as a form of affirmative action to address historical structural inequality and discrimination.
Last month, the Supreme Court of Manipur asked the government to consider and rule on the plea of the Meitei community.
Manipur is part of India’s remote northeastern region, a region connected to the rest of the country by a narrow land corridor that has experienced decades of unrest among ethnic and separatist groups.
At least 50,000 people have lost their lives in the conflicts since the first uprising broke out in Manipur in the early 1950s.
Over the years, these conflicts have subsided, with many groups making deals with New Delhi for increased powers.
