In view of the prevailing law and order situation, the Governor of Manipur on Thursday (May 4) authorised all District Magistrates, Sub-Divisional Magistrates and all Executive Magistrates/ Special Executive Magistrates to issue Shoot at sight orders in extreme cases whereby all forms of persuasion, warning, reasonable force etc has been exhausted.

The order issued by the Home Department of Manipur stated, “In view of the prevailing law and order situation following the unwanted incidents that occurred at the Tribal Solidarity March 2023 held on May 3, 2023 and in order to maintain public order and tranquillity in the State, the Governor of Manipur is pleased to authorize all District Magistrates, Sub- Divisional Magistrates and all Executive Magistrates/ Special Executive Magistrates detailed by the District Magistrates concerned to issue Shoot at sight orders in extreme cases whereby all forms of persuasion, warning, reasonable force, etc. had been exhausted under the provisions of law under CrPC, 1973 and the situation could not be controlled."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and took stock of the situation in the state. Shah also spoke to the Chief Ministers of the neighboring states to help the state of Manipur to restore law and order.

On May 3, according to reports, a peaceful rally was organised by All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) condemning the Scheduled Tribe status demand by the majority Meitei community of the state which is when violence broke out in the Torbung area of Churachandpur district.

"All Tribal Student's Union Manipur (ATSUM) organized a rally in all hill districts on 03-05-2023 with total shutdown in all hill districts from 6 AM to 4 PM in protest against the demand of inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. During the rally and total shutdown there are reports on incidents like fighting amongst volunteers/youths of different communities and the situation is tense and volatile in the districts of Bishnupur and Churachandpur," an official said on Wednesday.

According to the social media posts, the Meitei community started the violence demolishing the tribal's houses, vehicles which resulted in clashes between the the tribals and the Meitei community and displaced over 9,000 people from their villages.

Source-Twitter

People were seen on the road and in the nearby forest with their belongings as vandalism and arson continue in several districts of the state.

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