Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha is aware of the troubling circumstances in Manipur. In light of this, the Chief Minister on Thursday inquired about the state’s students enrolled in RIMS and other colleges in Manipur.   

 

On the instructions of the Chief Minister, the state administration inquired about the students studying in various colleges of Manipur. From the Manipur Government to the state administration, it has been assured to keep the students of Tripura safe.

 

Moreover, on the instructions of the Chief Minister, the State Director of Health Education, Prof. (Dr.) HP Sharma spoke to the principal of RIMS College over the telephone. RIMS principal told the State’s Health and Education Director that State’s students studying there are safe and secure. 

 

Manipur Government on Thursday issued a ‘shoot at sight’ order in “extreme cases” to contain spiraling violence in the state between tribals and the majority Meitei community that has displaced over 9,000 people from their villages.

 

According to media reports, Fifty-five columns of the Army and Assam Rifles have been deployed to contain widespread rioting which broke out across Manipur between tribals and the majority Meitei community, displacing over 9,000 people.

 

The Army also kept some 14 columns on standby for deployment in case the situation flares up again, a defense spokesperson said.

 

The Centre, which is monitoring the situation in Manipur, also dispatched teams of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), a specialized force to handle riots, for deployment in violence-hit areas of the Northeastern state.

 

Sources said the force landed at Imphal airport this evening.

 

Clashes broke out on Wednesday, which intensified overnight with counter-attacks being mounted by rival communities in retaliation to earlier attacks after Naga and Kuki tribals organized a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ to protest moves to give scheduled tribe status to the majority Metei community.

 

The ‘shoot at sight’ order issued on Thursday by the Governor of the northeastern state said all magistrates can issue the order when persuasion, warning, and reasonable force “have been exhausted and the situation could not be controlled.”

 

The notification signed by the Commissioner (Home) of the state government was issued under provisions of the criminal procedure code 1973.