Army deployed in violence-hit areas of Manipur

The Army and Assam Rifles were deployed to control the situation in Manipur where violence broke out during a tribal agitation, a defense spokesperson said on Thursday, adding that a total of 4,000 people were rescued by the forces from the violence-hit areas so far, and given shelter. 

He said that more people are being shifted to safer places and the Army and Assam Rifles were requisitioned in the night, and along with the state police, the forces arrested the violence by the morning, according to the news agency PTI. 

"Flag marches are being conducted to keep the situation under control," he said.

The violence broke out on Wednesday during 'Tribal Solidarity March' called by All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in 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 clashes between tribals and non-tribals broke out, a senior police officer said. Police fired several rounds of tear gas shells to control the situation, the officer said.

Agitated youths were seen gathering at Canchipur in Imphal West district and Soibam Leikai in Imphal East in the Valley calling for retaliation, the official said, PTI reported. 

In view of the situation, curfew was imposed in non-tribal dominated Imphal West, Kakching, Thoubal, Jiribam and Bishnupur districts and tribal-dominated Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal districts.

Mobile internet services were suspended across the state for five days.

(With PTI inputs)