Shoot-at-sight orders issued by Manipur govt to quell riots

Guwahati/Imphal: Orders to shoot rioters on sight in extreme cases was issued in Manipur on Thursday after overnight violence in tribal areas to resist any attempt by the government to include majority Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe list continued to spread, forcing authorities to call out the Army at midnight and bar all internet data services in the state.Despite the deployment of 55 columns of Army and Assam Rifles, fresh incidents of arson on Thursday rocked the hill state with miscreants setting ablaze many houses and vehicles at various parts of the state, including Imphal valley. An additional 14 columns of security forces were also kept on standby for deployment on short notice, even as a large number of Rapid Action Force (RAF) troops landed in Imphal in an Indian Air Force aircraft. There were also unconfirmed reports of looting of arms from Manipur training police college and snatching of arms by miscreants in Imphal East.The 'shoot-at-sight' order in extreme cases said all magistrates could issue the order when persuasion, warning and reasonable force “have been exhausted and the situation could not be controlled”.Overnight clashes intensified with counter-attacks being mounted by rival communities in retaliation to earlier attacks, after Naga and Kuki tribes organised a 'tribal solidarity march' to protest moves to give Scheduled Tribe status to the majority Meitei community.Following the clashes, that left scores injured, the state government clamped curfew under Section 144 CrPC in 10 districts — Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Churachandpur , Pherzwal and Jiribam. Thousands were evacuated to safer locations.“There are an approximate number of 5,000 at Churachandpur, 2,000 at Imphal and about 2,000 at Moreh who are being rendered assistance in various ad hoc lodging places,” defence PRO Lt Col M Rawat said.“Army and Assam Rifles which were called out at midnight conducted flag marches and also aerial reconnaissance in areas of Khuga, Tampa, Khomaujanbba areas of Churachandpur, Mantripukhri, Lamphel, Koeirangi areas of Imphal and Sugnu in Kakching districts,” the PRO said.