New Delhi: The clashes over non-tribal Meiteis to be given Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in Manipur have led to about 28-30 deaths till now. CRPF chief and Security Advisor of Manipur, Kuldeep Singh confirmed that there have been 28-30 death cases and they are verifying further. He added that they are yet to verify if all the deaths were because of the violent clashes.
About security arrangements, Kuldeep Singh said that the Indian Army and security forces are addressing problems, and Executive Magistrates, senior police officials, and Paramilitary and Assam Rifles trying to outreach in far-flung areas. He added that 84 arms have been surrendered till now and the police have arrested 10 people today.
#WATCH | #ManipurViolence | “…The confirmed death cases are 28-30. We are further verifying. As & when we get it verified and find out that it is because of the violence, we will confirm it,” says Kuldeep Singh, Security Advisor, Manipur pic.twitter.com/FCdfb0VmLZ
— ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2023
Talking to news agency ANI, the security advisor also informed that there was a skirmish in the state yesterday where had to open fire. He said that today morning, three bodies were found at the spot of the skirmish.
#WATCH | #ManipurViolence | Kuldeep Singh, Security Advisor, Manipur gives details on the skirmish yesterday.
“Yesterday there was skirmish…Army column had to open fire. Today morning, it was found that 3 bodies have been found there.” pic.twitter.com/a4djDR70IL
— ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2023
Reportedly, Paramilitary and Assam Rifles have evacuated about 16,000 people from the violence-hit areas. Manipur CM N Biren Singh held an all-party meeting to decide the further course of action, meanwhile, the Chief Ministers of Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura are ensuring that students from their states studying in Manipur are safely evacuated.
The state government appointed CRPF chief Kuldeep Yadav as the security advisor and Additional Director-General of Police (Intelligence), Ashutosh Sinha as the overall operational commander in the wake of the violence.
After MoS Education Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh wrote to National Testing Agency (NTA), NEET (UG) 2023 exams, to be held on May 7, in the state have been postponed.
The clashes began on May 3, during the ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in the Torbung area of Churachandpur district to protest against the demand for non-tribal majority community Meiteis’ inclusion Scheduled Tribe (ST) list. A curfew was also imposed in several districts and internet services have also been suspended for five days.
