The Indian Revenue Service (IRS) Association said on Friday (May 5) that an Income Tax Department official posted in Imphal was “dragged out” of his official residence and killed during the current spate of violence in Manipur. Protesters also assaulted BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte. According to ANI, DGP Manipur P Doungel stated that the BJP MLA was airlifted out of the state and his condition has stabilised. The administration, according to Doungel, has received strict orders that anyone who makes a mistake will not be spared, and the Army has received flag march orders.
The Imphal Valley in Manipur saw sporadic clashes later in the day as more security forces were rushed in from other states by road and air to calm down a state that had witnessed bloody ethnic rioting over the previous 48 hours.
“The situation was extremely bad about 2-3 days ago. Many forces, including the CRPF and the BSF, are arriving to improve police coordination. The state has appointed a security advisor,” the DGP added.
Imphal, Manipur | BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte was attacked by protesters, and taken to hospital.
He (Vungzagin Valte) has been airlifted out of the state. His condition is stable. We have received strict orders that if someone does any mistake they will not be spared. Army has… pic.twitter.com/28fTbxCASw
— ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2023
Kuldeep Singh, Manipur’s security advisor, stated, “The Manipur administration has been preparing forces to deploy them at 23 locations with different police stations. The sensitive areas are dominated by the RAF, Assam Rifles, BSF, and IRB,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.
#WATCH | Imphal, Manipur: The Manipur administration has been preparing forces to deploy them at 23 locations with different police stations. The areas which are sensitive are having area domination by RAF, Assam Rifles, BSF & IRB: Kuldeep Singh, Security Advisor, Manipur pic.twitter.com/N11lnOro38
— ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2023
PTI reported citing a Defence spokesperson, 13,000 people were rescued and relocated to safe havens, some of which were army camps, as the army took “firm control” of Churachandpur, Moreh, Kakching, and Kangpokpi districts.
Intermittent gunfights between militant groups and security forces were also reported from various hill districts surrounding the valley in the morning hours, but a wary peace has reigned there since.
“In the last 12 hours, there have been sporadic incidents of arson and attempts by hostile elements to establish blockades in Imphal East and West districts. However, the situation was brought under control by a firm and coordinated response,” a Defence official said on Friday night.
However, no information about the incidents was available.
Trains to Manipur have been cancelled with immediate effect due to the situation in the state, according to a Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) spokesperson.
On Wednesday, violence erupted in the Torbung area of Churachandpur district during a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ organised by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) to protest Meiteis’ demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
The march was organised by tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, after the Manipur High Court ordered the state government last month to send a recommendation to the Centre on the Metei community’s demand for ST status within four weeks.
During the march in Torbung, an armed mob allegedly attacked members of the Meitei community, prompting retaliatory attacks in the valley districts and escalating the violence across the state, according to police.
Over 13,000 people have been displaced from both communities as a result of the violence between the majority Meiteis and tribals over the former’s demand for ST status.
Protests were held across the country in response to the violence in Manipur.
To contain the violence, the Manipur government has issued “shoot at sight” orders and Chief Minister N Biren Singh has stated that the violence is the result of “misunderstanding” in society and that his administration is taking all necessary steps to bring the situation under control.