Imphal: Surrounding the solidarity march called by All Tribal Students Union (ATSUM) in Churachandpur district of Manipur violence broke out on Wednesday as some miscreant burnt the centenary gate at Churachandpur.
It needs to be mentioned here that ATSUM conducted the march the Government’s decision to evict the alleged new village settlements in forest area; Meitei community’s demand for the status of Scheduled Tribe etc.

This demand by the Meitei’s for ST status turned out to be a bone of contention between the tribal and non-tribal community in Manipur.However, mention will also have to be made about the present percentage of Meitei community in Manipur. The Meiteis make up 53 per cent of Manipur’s population.

The Meiteis allege that they are being considered as aliens in their own land because they are losing their land and identity to the illegal immigrants—both Mayanmarese and Bangladeshis.Moreover, the law says that the Meiteis cannot settle in the hill areas.

Union home minister Amit Shah dialled the chief minister of Manipur N Biren Singh on Thursday and enquired about the present situation in the state. Army has been deployed and flag-marches have been reportedly held in various parts of the violence-hit state. According to sources, around 9,000 people have been rescued by the security forces so far.

The chief minister of Mizoram Zoramthanga on Thursday had a telephonic conversation with his Manipur counterpart and expressed his concerns about the people of Manipur. Many shops were allegedly vandalized and set afire by the violent mob on Wednesday night, sources said.

Meanwhile, Singh chaired a high level meeting on Thursday to assess the situation. He has appealed to all for peace. In fact Singh also reached out to the lawmakers from Naga community and urged them to extend their assistance in this hour of crisis.

“I have appealed to the MLAs from Naga community to mediate. I would also like to urge the common people not to spread canards and help the administration restore peace and tranquillity in the state. Since ages we have been living as one family. Let me assure all that the government will not spare any wrongdoer and will not discriminate on the basis of one’s community and religion,” Singh said.

    

It is reported that houses belonging to Meitei’s were burnt down at Churachandpur and many visuals have surfaced where it is seen that people with AK-47 were cheered by the violent mob.The questions arises what the police forces were doing to control the mob and how the people had so much weapons openly roaming in the streets.

Many people from Maitei community have fled their homes in the hill district and are being sheltered in relief camps. It is also feared that many are dead in the clashes from both the side. As reports started pouring in today Imphal city witnessed a violent scene with houses and cars belonging to tribal community were burnt down by the agitating mob in thousands.

Students particularly from Kuki community studying in Imphal institutions are being shifted by paramilitary forces to secured locations.

It is also learnt that additional platoon of rapid action forces have landed in Imphal to control the situation.
People are in a state of shock and many are blaming the political situations of the state as well as the drug mafia who may have a hand in the inciting a turbulent situation in the state, many demanding President Rule being imposed. Government has suspended internet services for five days and curfew is imposed in many district including Imphal districts.