Amit Shah says situation under control as Indian Army keeps strict vigil in violence-hit Manipur

After days of violence and arson which left 54 dead and thousands of people displaced, the Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday (May 8) said the situation in Manipur was under control.

Riots broke out in the state on May 3 between the Meitei community and the Naga and Kuki tribes over the demand of the former for Scheduled Tribe status.

What is the current situation?

On Sunday (May 7), people were allowed to step out of their homes  from 7-10 am  in Churachandpur, one of the main flashpoints of the violence.

The Indian Army on Sunday (May 7) said that no major violence was reported overnight. It said that 23,500 people are currently being given shelter by the Army after they had to flee their homes, ANI reported.

Kuldiei Singh, the newly appointed security advisor by the Home Ministry to Manipur CM said that the administration will hold meetings with the community leaders and public representatives. 

He added that curfew will also be lifted from more parts of the state, where violence had erupted on May 3. 

“We have held meetings at 9 places so far. Community leaders have assisted us in ensuring that people do not resort to violence,” Kuldiep Singh said.

He said that the stolen arms have also started being surrendered by the people. A large number of arms were stolen by rioters from the police station and Singh said 134 weapons have been recovered.

Army's statement

The Indian Army in a statement said that 120-125 Army and Assam Rifles columns have been working tirelessly for the past 96 hours to quell the violence.

In the past 24 hours, the Army has also increased surveillance efforts in sensitive areas. There has also been an increase in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as well as Army helicopters in the Imphal valley, ANI reported.

Home Minister's response

Home Minister Amit Shah has appealed to the people in the state to maintain peace. Shah.was reported to have cancelled his rallies in poll-bound state of Karnataka and is focussing on the situation in Manipur.

Shah has also assured that the Manipur government will consult all the stakeholders before taking a decision on the matter of Scheduled Tribe status of Meitei community.

The background

The unrest in Manipur erupted after a protest march by a tribal group over a Manipur High Court order asking the Centre to provide an ST tag to the majority Meitei community in the state.

The High Court order triggered a massive backlash from the tribal groups of Manipur, who participated in a Tribal Solidarity March called by tribal student union group ATSUM (All Tribal Students Union Manipur) on May 3.

Since then violence broke out in nearly 10 districts of Manipur, including the main capital Imphal. BJP MLA Vungazin Valte was critically injured on May 5 after a mob attacked his car which he was returning from the state secretariat after a meeting with CM N Biren Singh.

The tribals -- which comprise mainly Kukis and Nagas make up 40 % of the Manipur's population compared to Meiteis, who make up 53% of the population.

Supreme court to hear petitions

The apex court of India on Monday (May 8) will hear a few petitions filed pertaining to the situation in Manipur.

One of the petitions is from the BJP MLA Dinganlung Gangme, which challenges the state high court's order on the issue of ST tribe status to the majority Meitei community.

The other petition is from a tribal outfit demanding a Special Investigation Team to probe into the Manipur violence.