Guwahati: The Centre has reportedly invoked Article 355 of the constitution in Manipur as the situation in the violence-hit state worsened on Thursday.
Article 355 of the Constitution deals with an emergency provision by which the Centre can intervene and protect a state against external aggression or internal disturbance.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
Additional central security forces have been deployed in the trouble-torn areas of Manipur.
A total of five companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) of the CRPF were flown to Imphal on Thursday at the direction of the Union Home Ministry.
The Army and Assam Rifles carried out flag marches in the violence-affected areas.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
Lieutenant Colonel Mahendra Rawat, Defence PRO Guwahati, said columns of the Army and Assam Rifles were brought in to control the situation on Wednesday night.
“The violence was arrested by the morning. Approximately 4,000 people were given shelter in Army and Assam Rifles Company Operating Bases and state government premises at various places. Flag marches are being conducted to keep the situation under control,” Rawat said.
The Imphal-Churachandpur road has been secured by security forces to prevent any further violence or disturbances in the area.
Earlier in the day, Manipur Governor o authorised all District Magistrates, Sub-Divisional Magistrates and all Executive Magistrates/Special Executive Magistrates to issue Shoot at sight orders ‘in extreme cases whereby all forms of persuasion, warning, reasonable force etc has been exhausted’.
Earlier violence had broke out during the ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ called by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in the Torbung area of Churachandpur district on Wednesday to protest the demand of non-tribal Meiteis, who dominate the Imphal Valley, for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Thousands of tribals — who make up about 40 per cent of the state’s population — joined the processions, waved placards and raised slogans opposing ST status for the Meitei.