The Governor of Manipur on Thursday authorised all District Magistrates (DM), Sub- Divisional Magistrates and all Executive Magistrates/ Special Executive Magistrates detailed by the District Magistrates concerned to issue Shoot at sight orders in extreme cases whereby all forms of persuasion, warning, reasonable force, etc. had been exhausted under the provisions of law under CrPC, 1973 and the situation could not be controlled.
This comes after a mass rally organised by the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) turned violent, resulting in widespread arson and clashes.
A curfew is imposed in most districts and mobile internet services are suspended in the entire state for five days with immediate effect from Tuesday.
The order says the strict measure is in view of the “prevailing law and order situation following the unwanted incidents occurred the Tribal Solidarity March 2023 held on 03-05-2023 and in order to maintain public order and tranquillity in the State”.
The tribal group was protesting against the demand for inclusion of the state’s Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, following an April 19 Manipur High Court directive.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh to take stock of the situation. Indian Army and the Assam Rifles on Wednesday carried out a flag march in the violence-hit areas.
‘Deeply concerned about Manipur’s rapidly deteriorating law and order situation,’ tweeted Rahul Gandhi urging Prime Minister to focus on resorting to peace and normalcy.
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