Ethnic clashes continue in India’s Manipur despite army presence

New violence has hit India’s remote northeast region, local media reported, despite authorities rushing in troops to restore order after ethnic clashes.

Thousands of soldiers were sent to Manipur state after a protest march by a tribal group turned violent on Wednesday.
The situation remained tense after another bout of violence on Friday night, hours after the state’s top police officer warned that rioters had stolen arms and ammunition from police stations.

Authorities imposed an internet blackout and issued shoot-at-sight orders in “extreme cases” in an effort to contain the unrest.

Hospital morgues in the state capital Imphal and Churachandpur district further south had reported a combined total of 54 dead.

Kuldeep Singh, security adviser to the Manipur government, told journalists in the state capital Imphal that 18 to 20 deaths have been reported, “although we are still verifying whether these deaths took place due to the recent violence or related to some other incidents.”

“About 100 people were injured and were treated in various hospitals,” Singh said, adding more than 500 houses were burned down during the last few days and some vehicles were also set ablaze.

Manipur Director General of Police P Doungel said orders have been given to take strict action against anyone found involved in acts of violence.

“We have asked the army to stage flag marches in violence-hit areas and instructed the forces to take stringent action against anyone involved in violence,” Doungel told journalists.

The internet blackout has impeded the flow of information from Manipur and details of the latest clashes have remained sparse.