No major incident of violence reported in last 24 hours
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 06 2023: The law and order situation has improved somewhat in parts of Manipur on Saturday as compared to the past couple of days after the Government took up strict security measures.

Reportedly, instances of people blocking roads, destroying places of worship and houses have also reduced considerably today.

Security personnel deployed at strategic locations were also on high alert.

Notably, the Government has imposed curfew in several districts and authorised all District Magistrates to issue "shoot at sight orders" in "extreme cases" .

Many displaced families from several villages have also taken shelter camps set up at different places.

About 60 people from Itham Moirang Purel have taken shelter at a relief camp at Achanbigei Awang Leikai while more than 200 individuals from Ishingthembi, Sagolmang, Sapormeina and Daolaithabi are taking shelter at Heingang Kangjeibung.

It is reported that many from Imphal have taken shelter at different villages in Kangpokpi district.

Relief camps for displaced families have also been set up at Potsangbam Village under Lamsang Constituency.

On the other hand, the death count in the Manipur carnage increased to 54, officials said even as unofficial sources put the figure at several scores.

Life returned to wary normalcy in Imphal valley on Saturday as shops and markets reopened and cars started moving on the roads.

Security presence which has been bolstered by flying in more army troops, rapid action force, and Central police forces, was clearly visible in all major areas and roads.

Most shops and markets in Imphal town and other places opened in the morning with people buying vegetables and other essential commodities even as security forces were deployed in large numbers.

Of the 54 dead, 16 bodies are kept in the morgue of Churachandpur district hospital while 15 bodies are at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal East district, officials said.

The Regional Institute of Medical Sciences at Lamphel in Imphal West district reported 23 dead, the official said.

A Defence spokesperson said a total of 13,000 people were rescued and shifted to safe shelters, some in army camps as the army brought Churachandpur, Moreh, Kakching, and Kangpokpi districts under its "firm control" .

"In the past 12 hours, Imphal East and West districts witnessed sporadic incidents of arson and attempts by inimical elements to establish blockades.

However, the situation was controlled by a firm and synergised response," the Defence official said on Friday night.

Details of the incidents, however, were not available.

Multiple sources said the fighting between communities had left several scores of people dead and nearly a hundred injured.

However, the police were unwilling to confirm this.

The bodies were brought from districts such as Imphal East and West, Churachandpur, and Bishnupur.

Many people with bullet injuries are also being treated at RIMS and Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences."Prompt response by security forces led to rescuing of civilians of all communities from various minority pockets of areas affected by violence.

As a result, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Moreh, and Kakching are now under firm control with no major violence reported since yesterday night," the PRO said.

Nearly 10,000 soldiers from the Army and the Assam Rifles have been deployed in the State which was rocked by clashes since Wednesday between the Meitei community, which mainly live in Imphal Valley, and Kuki tribals, who are inhabitants of the hill districts.

"Total of approximately 13,000 civilians have been rescued and are currently staying in various ad-hoc boarding facilities specifically created for the purpose within Company Operating Bases & Military Garrisons," the defence official said.

CCpur, May 6 : For the first time since witnessing a violent uprising, Chura-chandpur town witnessed an incident free life on Saturday as smokes stopped billowing from the streets and sound of gunfire and riotings ceased and curfew has been relaxed from 7 am to 10 am tomorrow.

The streets however wore messy as charred materials, police barricades and other roadblocks set up by the mob are still strewn all over.

Yesterday too, except for the intermittent gunshots by the Army keeping the people confined, nothing much was noticed during the day.

However the situation took a twist as there was a standoff between the security forces and a mob last night.

At least 4 people were said to have been killed in the stand-off.

The stand-off was finally quelled by community leaders who stepped in to persuade the mob.

At least 3 people including two women are said to have been killed during the standoff last night while over 50 people suffered varying degrees of injuries.

It is also claimed that the Army has airlifted five of the seriously injured today for treatment.

Govt representatives, led by PK Jha, K Kabib and Army officials held a meeting with community leaders today at Churachandpur.

Accordingly, curfew will be relaxed from 7 am to 10 am and community leaders have made public announcement for the same and urged the public to stop blocking the roads for security personnel.

The local police also announced about the curfew relaxation using PA system.

It is also learnt that village level women groups have been tasked to be on alert to prevent looting of shops.

(with inputs from PTI) .

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