Violence In Manipur: At least 13 people have been killed in two days of mob violence in Manipur due to a massive protest by the northeastern state's tribal populations against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
MLA Vungzagin Valte of Thanlon seat in Pherzawl district was attacked by a furious mob on his way back from the chief minister's secretariat.
According to sources, the incident occurred on the RIMS road when a throng stormed the van transporting MLA Valte.
After attending a high-level meeting on the state's ongoing law and order situation, presided over by Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the BJP MLA was attacked by a mob while on his way back to his official quarters.
The northeast frontier has cancelled all Manipur-bound trains following an advisory from the Manipur administration to halt train movements due to violence in the state. In extreme circumstances, rioters have been ordered to be shot on sight.
"There are approximately 5,000 in Churachandpur, 2,000 in Imphal, and 2,000 in Moreh who are being assisted in various ad hoc lodging places," said defence PRO Lt Col M Rawat.
Despite the deployment of 55 Army and Assam Rifles columns, new arson cases were reported on Thursday i.e. May 04. Mobile internet and broadband services in the state have been suspended.
Clashes erupted during a solidarity march planned by the All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur, on Wednesday. Scheduled Tribe groups, largely from the Kuki-Zomi tribal group, are protesting a proposal to grant the Meitei community, which makes up the bulk of the State's population, a long-standing demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) designation.
On April 19, the Manipur High Court ordered the state administration to submit its recommendation to the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry to place the Meitei people on the ST list by May 29.
After informing Home Minister Amit Shah of the situation on the ground, CM N. Biren Singh appealed to the people to maintain peace and unity, admitting that "some precious lives were lost."
According to sources, since the violence erupted in Manipur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also convened two video conference sessions to assess the situation. At the same time, he is holding numerous meetings one after the other.
Following the outbreak of violence, Amit Shah met with the Chief Ministers of Manipur's neighbouring states.
