IMPHAL: 

The death toll in the ethnic violence which has engulfed Manipur increased to 54, officials said, as life returned to a wary normalcy in Imphal Valley on Saturday with shops and markets reopening.

Fresh violence had hit India’s remote northeastern state of Manipur, according to media reports, despite authorities rushing in troops to restore order after ethnic clashes. Thousands of soldiers were sent to Manipur state after a protest march by a tribal group turned violent on Wednesday.

The situation remained tense after another bout of violence on Friday night, hours after the state’s top police officer warned that rioters had stolen arms and ammunition from police stations. Authorities imposed an internet blackout and issued shoot-at-sight orders in “extreme cases” in an effort to contain the unrest.

Hospital morgues in the state capital Imphal and Churachandpur district further south had reported a combined total of 54 dead.

Kuldeep Singh, security adviser to the Manipur government, told journalists in the state capital Imphal that 18 to 20 deaths have been reported, “although we are still verifying whether these deaths took place due to the recent violence or related to some other incidents. About 100 people were injured and were treated in various hospitals,” Singh said.

More than 500 houses were burned down during the last few days and some vehicles were also set ablaze.Manipur Director General of Police P Doungel said orders have been given to take strict action against anyone found involved in acts of violence.

An Indian army unit based in neighbouring Nagaland state said 13,000 people had sought shelter from the violence. On Thursday, security forces fired tear gas in Imphal to disperse protesters, some of whom had set alight vehicles and houses in parts of the city.

Burned-out vehicles were seen on streets otherwise empty due to the imposition of a round-the-clock curfew. Defence officials said that additional troops had been brought into the state by road and air.

The Meitei people, the largest single ethnic group in the state, have been agitating to be granted scheduled tribe status, while the other recognised tribes in Manipur oppose that move.  Last month, the Manipur High Court asked the government to consider the Meitei community’s plea and decide on it.

At least 50,000 people have lost their lives in the conflicts since the first rebellion broke out in Manipur in the early 1950s. Over the years these conflicts have waned, with many groups striking deals with New Delhi for more powers.

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NEW DELHI: India’s Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday announced reduction of the disturbed areas imposed under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur after decades.

A home ministry spokesperson, however, said the decision does not imply that the AFSPA has been completely withdrawn from the three insurgency-affected states but will continue to be in force in some areas of the three states.

In a series of tweets, Shah said: “In a significant step, GoI (Government of India) under the decisive leadership of PM Shri @NarendraModi Ji has decided to reduce disturbed areas under Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the states of Nagaland, Assam and Manipur after decades.”

Thanks to PM @NarendraModi Ji’s unwavering commitment, our North-Eastern region, which was neglected for decades is now witnessing a new era of peace, prosperity and unprecedented development.

I congratulate the people of North East on this momentous occassion.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 31, 2022

The home minister said the reduction in areas under AFSPA is the result of the improved security situation and fast-tracked development due to the consistent efforts and several agreements to end insurgency and bring lasting peace in Northeast by the Modi government.

Reduction in areas under AFSPA is a result of the improved security situation and fast-tracked development due to the consistent efforts and several agreements to end insurgency and bring lasting peace in North East by PM @narendramodi government.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 31, 2022

The AFSPA has been in force for decades in the three northeastern states to assist the armed forces operating there to tackle insurgency.

The AFSPA empowers security forces to conduct operations and arrest anyone without any prior warrant besides giving immunity from arrest and prosecution to the security forces if they shoot someone dead.

There have been protests and demands for the complete withdrawal of the law from the Northeast as well as Jammu and Kashmir for its alleged “draconian” provisions.

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