In 11 districts of violence-hit Manipur Curfew relaxed a bit

Imphal: The situation is improving in violence-hit Manipur, with no fresh reports of any untoward incident, while curfew has been relaxed in all 11 districts, officials said on Tuesday.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said on Monday that 64 people were killed, 231 injured and 1,700 houses, including religious places, were burnt down in the last few days of communal violence in the northeastern state.
“The situation is improving across the state, no violence has been reported in the last 24 hours, curfew has been relaxed for four hours in Imphal West and Imphal East from 5 am today. Nine other affected districts also A similar relaxation is being given,” said a senior official.

Violent clashes broke out in the northeastern state on May 3 after a ‘tribal solidarity march’ was organized in 10 hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
The clashes were preceded by tensions over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which led to a series of smaller protests.

Meiteis constitute about 53% of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. The tribals – Nagas and Kukis – constitute another 40 percent of the population and live in the hilly districts.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday evening, the Chief Minister said that the state cabinet has decided to give Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh to the seriously injured and Rs 25 thousand each. People with minor injuries.
“These are very sad incidents. I appeal to people to bring peace as soon as possible,” Singh said.

He said that 1700 houses including temples and churches have been burnt in the violence.

Singh said that Rs 2 lakh would be paid to those whose houses were destroyed, and the state government would rebuild them.
“After the unfortunate incident in Manipur, till date more than 20,000 people who were stranded in relief camps have been shifted to safe place. Another 10,000 stranded people should be shifted to safe place as soon as possible. “Human lives are precious and destroying homes and property is unacceptable,” Singh said.

The Chief Minister said that 1,041 guns were looted from the security force personnel out of which 214 have been recovered.
He said that the Manipur government has initiated many measures to bring back the stranded people from various parts of the state like Churachandpur, Ukhrul, Imphal West, Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts.
“The SPs have been directed to identify unsafe areas and ensure 24-hour full-proof security and protection of land and property in the absence of their owners. They have been asked to take action against such persons. Take immediate action as per law who are trying to loot or grab such land and property,” Singh added.