Manipur Govt issued an order of "shoot-at-sight" in "extreme cases" amid ongoing violence

DigitalDesk: As unrest spreads to the state's capital, Imphal, the Manipur government has issued "shoot at sight" orders. The deployment of 55 army units has increased security. The Rapid Action Force has also been dispatched.

The governor of Manipur issued an order last evening authorizing the state's magistrates to issue "shoot-at-sight orders in extreme cases where all forms of persuasion, warning, reasonable force, etc. had been exhausted."

The Rapid Action Force, a riot control police force, has flown in 500 personnel. They join the army, Assam Rifles, the Central Reserve Police Force, and state police in their efforts to quell the violence that began on Wednesday.

The Centre is keeping a close eye on the issue. Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, held two online sessions on Thursday and spoke with the Chief Ministers of Manipur and adjacent states.

There have been numerous calls for calm in recent days, as images of burning houses and businesses have filled social media. A curfew has been enforced in eight areas. Mobile internet connections have been suspended throughout the state. The administration has yet to specify the number of people killed and injured.

Security forces have evacuated almost 9,000 people from regions affected by unrest. According to a defence spokesperson, around 5,000 people have been relocated to safe houses in Churachandpur, 2,000 in Imphal Valley, and 2,000 in the border town of Moreh in Tenugopal district.

The rioting began on Wednesday during a tribal protest march against a Manipur High Court judgement supporting the inclusion of non-tribal Meities on the list of Scheduled Tribes. It enraged the Naga and Kuki tribals, who make up less than 40% of the population.

Though Meities constitute 64% of the state's population, they only occupy 10% of the state's territory because non-tribals are not permitted to purchase land in notified hill areas. Their inclusion in the ST category will allow them to purchase land, which has sparked tribal emotions. The state administration must write to the Centre to initiate the process of including Meities on the ST list. However, the move can be legally challenged.

Earlier today, Chief Minister N Biren Singh stated that the state's condition was returning to normal. "The administration is taking every precaution to protect law and order... "We are committed to protecting all of our people's lives and property," he had stated.