There seems to be no respite for the violence in Manipur. Three people were killed in a village in Imphal on Friday when a group of insurgents disguised as security personnel called them out of the homes and fired at them. Amid the tense situation, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the violence-hit state on Saturday.
Sarma met Manipur CM N. Biren Singh and took stock of the situation. This is the first visit by a chief minister from the northeastern states to Manipur since the clashes broke out.
At least two people were injured in the firing incident that took place on Friday. According to officials, the insurgents belonged to the Meitei community and they approached villagers on the pretext of a combing operation.
The incident took place in Khoken village on the border of Kangpoki and Imphal West districts. After hearing gunshots, security forces on routine patrol of the village stepped in. However the insurgents fled the scene by then.
The bodies were recovered by Assam Rifles.
A combined team of Manipur Police, Assam Rifles and the Army conducted a search operation in the area.
Central forces stay extended
In the wake of the unrest, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday extended the deployment of 114 companies of central armed police forces (CAPF) in the state till June 30. The deployment is expected to be extended further if the tense situation prevails in the violence-hit state.
Reportedly, the deadline for the central forces deployment was till June 10.
Presently, there are 52 companies of CRPF, 10 Rapid Action Force, 43 BSF companies, four of ITBP and five of SSB deployed in the state to maintain law and order, reported News18. An additional 30 companies were also sent by the Union Home Ministry this week.
Central forces have been making arrangements by deploying officers for the ad-hoc battalions, reported News18.
Over 1,500 migrated to Nagaland
Since the clashes that broke out between the ethnic communities on May 3, around 1,500 people have taken refuge in Nagaland.
The clashes between Meitei and Kuki tribes have so far claimed over 100 lives and some 10,000 army and para-military personnel had to be deployed to bring back normalcy in the northeastern state.
Recently, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had visited the state and camped for four days evaluating the situation. Shah had called for peace in the state and appealed the people to surrender their arms and weapons. The central forces have been engaged in search operations in the violence-hit areas since the clashes broke out.
