Union Home Minister Amit Shah has cancelled all his programmes for the upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka in the wake of clashes reported in parts of Manipur, sources said.
A defence spokesperson said a total of 13,000 people were rescued and shifted to safe shelters, some in army camps as the army brought Churachandpur, Moreh, Kakching and Kangpokpi districts under its ”firm control”.
#ManipurViolence | Total of approximately 13,000 civilians have been rescued and are currently staying in various ad-hoc boarding facilities specifically created for the purpose within Company Operating Bases & Military Garrisons. More than 100 columns are working tirelessly… pic.twitter.com/zEyNJZHjHs
— ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2023
Intermittent gunfights between militant groups and security forces were also reported in the morning hours from various hill districts surrounding the valley, but a wary peace seems to be reigning there since.
About 2-3 days back the situation was really bad. Many forces are coming including CRPF, and BSF for better coordination of police. The state has nominated a security advisor: P Doungel, DGP, Manipur pic.twitter.com/2Y4V9ujJML
— ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2023
According to the sources, Shah who is closely monitoring the situation in Manipur, is expected to continue to hold meetings with authorities in the state, about the prevailing scene and measures being taken to restore normalcy.
Shah, who is staying put in the national capital away from poll campaign in Karnataka, is also taking regular inputs from security and intelligence agencies about the Manipur situation, which by and large remained peaceful on Friday.
Around 1,000 more central paramilitary personnel with anti-riot vehicles reached Manipur on Friday, sources said.
They said Article 355 of the Constitution has not been invoked in Manipur. Under the provision, the central government can handle the law and order machinery of a state.
On Thursday, Shah called off all his election-bound meetings, and held multiple meetings via video conferencing and also spoke to chief ministers of the north-east states on maintaining law and order situation.
“The Union Home Minister Shah had discussion late at night with Manipur CM N Biren Singh and other top officials in view of the situation in state,” sources added.
Earlier on Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held two meetings via video-conferencing and spoke with the CMs of Manipur and neighbouring states including that of Nagaland, Mizoram and Assam in view of the situation in Manipur.
Moreover, keep the situation in control, the central paramilitary forces were rushed to Manipur.
According to sources, there was a speculation that Shah could visit the violence-hit state, but the speculations were turned down by the party leaders, who said that as of now, he will be monitoring the situation from Delhi.
Army and paramilitary forces have been deployed in Manipur and flag marches were also taken out to keep the situation under control.
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
Violence broke out on May 3, during a rally organized by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) Manipur to protest the demand for inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the Scheduled Tribe category.
Nearly 10,000 soldiers from the Army and the Assam Rifles have been deployed in the state which was rocked by clashes since Wednesday between the Meitei community, which mainly live in Imphal Valley, and Naga and Kuki tribals who are inhabitants of the hill districts.
