 in the Torbung area of Churachandpur){kind=link}
Violence erupted during the ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ called by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in the Torbung area of Churachandpur.
Violence erupted during the ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ called by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in the Torbung area of Churachandpur district to protest the demand of non-tribal Meiteis, who dominate the Imphal Valley, for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Thousands of agitators took part in the rally, during which violence between tribals and non-tribal Meitei community was reported in the Torbung area, a senior police officer said.
Sources say that the tribal rally was very peaceful until they were on their way back home and found the centenary gate being burnt and Kangvai was already invaded by the Meiteis.
Curfew was imposed in eight districts of Manipur and mobile internet services were suspended in the entire northeastern state over violence during a tribal agitation on Wednesday, officials said.
Army was requisitioned on May 3 night and to be in force till May 4 until further orders of extension. On Wednesday night, a joint force of Army and state police intervened and were able to keep the violence under control. With additional force coming in, the violence was further checked by morning.
Brutal violence had ripped through Manipur’s capital Imphal, where multiple vehicles and several places of worship were torched. The most affected areas are Churachandpur and Imphal, and not even a baby was spared who was burned to death while sleeping when their house was set on fire.
In a desperate plea for assistance, Mary Kom Tweeted: “My state Manipur is burning, kindly help”, summong help from PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah in the matter.
The violence started after the Kuki community organized a peace rally mainly in the hilly areas of Churachandpur. Right after the rally, they attacked the Meetei community all the way up to Torbung which is a 15 kilometers distance. The chief minister of Manipur declared it was due to a misunderstanding.
Army was called in on May 3 night and to be in force till May 4 until further orders of extension. On Wednesday night, a joint force of Army and state police intervened and managed to control the situation on the ground. With additional force coming in, the violence was further checked by morning.
Mary Kom shares a picture of violence-hit Manipur. (Twitter @MangteC)
Not convinced that the situation is under control and suspecting the government sparked the fires due to their intentions to divide communities, and also tighten the noose on the tribals after this, the netizen also shared: “Please spread the awareness on Manipur ethnic cleaning, which is initiated by the Meitei people. The government sent troops last week to Churachandpur and various places but the situation is not under control.” The highly sophisticated weaponry given to the Kukis by unknown sources is also under question.
