Manipur Violence: Govt Says 98 Killed And Over 37,000 Displaced In Ethnic Clashes

In an updated assessment of the Manipur violence, the government on Friday said that at least 98 people were killed and 310 were injured.

At present, a total of 37,450 people are in 272 relief camps, according to the statement issued by Manipur's Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

Last month, Manipur was enveloped for days in ethnic clashes between the Meitei and tribal communities. Widespread arson was reported and the Centre deployed several thousands of Indian Army and central paramilitary personnel to contain the situation. It took days for the violence to be contained.

The violence broke out after a tribal march that opposed the proposed Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to Manipur's Meitei community.

What did the Manipur goverment say?

The Manipur government on Friday gave an updated toll of the ethnic clashes in the state. Earlier, it had said that around 70 people were killed.

On Friday, the statement from the CMO said that at least 98 people were killed and 310 were injured. 

The statement also said that a total of 37,450 people are in 272 relief camps at present.

In all, 4,014 cases of arson have been reported since the violence broke out in the state on May 3, according to the CMO's statement.

So far, the Manipur Police has registered 3,734 cases and arrested 65 people for their involvement in the violence, the statement said.

The statement also said that sporadic incidents of firing or torching of houses by miscreants are becoming rare now as coordinated effort is made by different security agencies.

Army and central forces deployed in vulnerable pockets

The Manipur CMO's statement also said that central forces, including the Indian Army, remain deployed in vulnerable area.

Till now, 84 companies of central armed forces have been deployed, the statement said.

"More companies are being deployed. Flag march and area domination exercises are being carried out widely. Search operations will be conducted from today to recover snatched arms and ammunition," it said.

The government appealed to the people to surrender the snatched arms and ammunition.

"Stringent legal action will be taken against any person if caught with snatched arms and ammunition," it said.

So far, 144 arms with 11 magazines have been recovered by the security agencies, said the statement.

Meetings were being held with village heads and civil society organisations to resolve conflict and bring peace, it said, claiming that the situation is normal in most of the districts.

How things stand in Manipur

Curfew has been relaxed for 12 hours in Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur and Pherzawl, for 11 hours in Kangpokpi, for 10 hours in Churachandpur and Chandel, for eight hours in Jiribam and Tenugopal, and for seven hours in Thoubal and Kakching districts, it said.

There is no curfew in Tamenglong, Noney, Senapati, Ukhrul and Kamjong, it added.

"Movement of essential items along the NH-37 has been ensured," the statement said, noting that around 450 trucks were on the move with essential items.

An uneasy calm prevailed in Manipur a day after Home Minister Amit Shah left the state, concluding his four-day visit and announcing a slew of measures to bring back normalcy.

Clashes broke out on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals Nagas and Kukis constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.

(With PTI inputs)