Manipur violence: Amit Shah Speaks To CM Biren Singh

May 4, 2023 | Author: News Desk

In order to assess the situation in the state where violence erupted amid a tribal agitation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah talked with Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday.

The Rapid Action Force (RAF) troops have also been sent to Manipur’s violent districts by the Centre, which is keeping an eye on the situation there.

The RAF is a specialised force to handle riot-like situations.

The home minister has spoken to the Manipur chief minister, who briefed him about the ground situation and the steps taken to restore peace, officials said.

The troops of the Army and Assam Rifles have already been deployed on the ground.

Apart from these two forces, sufficient number of paramilitary forces were also available in Manipur for deployment in violence-hit areas.

Official sources said five companies of the RAF have been airlifted to Imphal while 15 other general duty companies have been asked to be in a state of readiness for deployment to the state.

About 15 companies of the CRPF are already available in Manipur for deployment, the sources said.

A “Tribal Solidarity March” organised by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in the Torbung region of the Churachandpur district on Wednesday resulted in violence in some areas of Manipur as a result of the non-tribal Meiteis’ desire for Scheduled Tribe (ST) designation. The Meiteis are the dominant ethnic group in the Imphal Valley.

According to a senior police official, thousands of agitators took part in the rally, during which clashes between tribals and non-tribals broke out.

Police used tear gas shells to to control the situation, the officer said.