'Shoot at sight' orders as quota plan roils Manipur

Manipur's governor issued shoot-at-sight orders on Thursday and the government snapped all internet services as it struggled to quell ethnic violence sweeping the northeastern state that saw mobs torch houses, shops and religious places, and even attack a sitting lawmaker in the state capital.

- Utpal Parashar

Clashes first broke out on Wednesday in Churachandpur town after tribal Kuki groups called for protests against a proposed tweak to the state's reservation matrix, granting scheduled tribe (ST) status to the majority Meitei community. Violence quickly engulfed the state where ethnic fault lines run deep, displacing thousands of people who fled burning homes and neighbourhoods.

The violence didn't abate till late on Thursday evening even as thousands of army and paramilitary personnel fanned across the state, marching through the deserted streets of the state's violence-hit towns restoring peace, and evacuating at least 9,000 people.

The Indian army in a statement late on Thursday said that the situation in the towns of Moreh and Kangpokpi was stable and had been brought under control. "All efforts underway to restore normalcy in Imphal & Churachandpur. Precautionary build up of additional troops in Manipur to continue. Additional columns also re-deployed from Nagaland," it said.

The Indian Air Force will airlift additional columns from Guwahati and Tezpur from Thursday, it added.

Chief minister N Biren Singh appealed for calm and blamed "prevailing misunderstandings" between two sections of society.

"In this hour, I appeal to one and all to maintain peace and harmony in your respective areas. I ask you not to believe rumours and unverified messages," he added.