Home minister Amit Shah breaks silence on Manipur violence
Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday said the situation in Manipur was under control as curfew remained in force in the violence-hit northeastern state. He also appealed to the people to maintain the peace.
Speaking exclusively to India Today/Aaj Tak, Shah assured that the Manipur government would consult all stakeholders before taking a decision on the matter of Scheduled Tribe-status for the Meitei community.
“The court has passed an order. This will be discussed with all concerned stakeholders and the Manipur government will take appropriate decision after consultations. There is no need for any person or group to be fearful,” said Shah.
The home minister’s reaction comes as a tenuous calm prevails in Manipur after days of arson and mayhem that left 54 dead and forced thousands of people to evacuate from the conflict-hit zones. More than 23,000 displaced people are currently sheltering in army camps.
The unrest in Manipur erupted on Wednesday, May 3, after a protest march organised by the Kuki tribal group sparked clashes with the non-tribal Meitei community. The march was called to oppose the recent Manipur High Court order, which had asked the state government to send a recommendation to the Centre regarding the demand to include the majority and predominantly Hindu Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes (STs) list.
Over the next couple of days, mobs of people torched cars and buildings, vandalised shops and hotels, and destroyed churches across various districts like Churachandpur, Imphal East and West, Bishnupur, Tengnoupal, and Kangpokpi.
Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed to rein in the clashes. As the violence spiraled, the state government suspended internet services, clamped a curfew and issued shoot-at-sight orders.
As Manipur burned, the ruling BJP and its top leaders came under sharp criticism from opposition parties for expending all their energy and focus on campaigning in Karnataka, where Assembly elections are scheduled to be held on May 10.
On Sunday, the Army said it had “significantly enhanced” its surveillance in violence-affected areas through aerial means such as drones and the deployment of military helicopters. Personnel of the Army and Assam Rifles held flag marches on Sunday after the curfew was briefly eased to allow people to buy essentials.
Although life appears to be crawling back to normalcy, the tension was palpable, as the days of rioting exposed the ethic faultlines that divide the northeastern state’s many peoples.