Amid the intensifying violence in the northeastern state of Manipur as clashes erupted between the tribals and the majority Meitei community, an agitated mob on Thursday attacked BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte in Imphal while he was returning from the state secretariat after a meeting with Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
Valte is currently in a critical condition and undergoing treatment at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal.
It has been reported that Valte, a three-time MLA from Thanlon in Pherzawl district, was on his way to his official residence in Imphal when the attack took place.
Valte is from the Kuki community. He was the Tribal Affairs & Hills minister of Manipur in the last BJP government.
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Violence in Manipur: Developments So Far
The Manipur government on Thursday issued 'shoot at sight' orders to contain spiralling violence in the state between tribals and the majority Meitei community which has displaced over 9,000 people from their villages.
Fifty-five columns of the Army and Assam Rifles had to be deployed to contain widespread rioting. More troops are being brought in from Nagaland by road while the IAF is flying in reinforcements from Guwahati and Tezpur, defence officials indicated.
Urging people to maintain peace, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said, "Precious lives have been lost, besides damage of properties, which is very unfortunate", without giving any details of the number of dead or injured.
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Multiple sources said the fighting between communities had left more than a score of people dead and several scores more injured. However, the police were unwilling to confirm this.
A defence spokesperson said, "The situation in Moreh and Kangpokpi has been brought under control and is stable. All efforts are underway to restore normalcy in Imphal and Churachandpur."
The Army also kept some 14 columns on standby for deployment in case the situation flared up once again, the defence spokesperson had said earlier in the day.
Sources said more than 6,000 soldiers had already been deployed to stop rioters from attacking people, however the number could not be officially verified.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday held meetings with top functionaries of Manipur and central governments through video conference to review the situation there besides talking to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, as well as with chief ministers Neiphiu Rio (Nagaland), Zoramthanga (Mizoram) and Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam), sources said.
The Manipur government also appointed retired IPS officer and former CRPF chief Kuldiep Singh as its security advisor, they added.
The Centre on its part air-lifted teams of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), a specialised force to handle riots, for deployment in violence-hit areas of the Northeastern state.
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Internet services including mobile internet, have been suspended for five days across the state with immediate effect to prevent disturbance of peace and public order, a Home department order said on Thursday.
Clashes broke out on Wednesday which intensified overnight, after Naga and Kuki tribals organised a 'Tribal Solidarity March' to protest moves to give scheduled tribe status to the majority Metei community.
(With PTI Inputs)
