A chronological report on Manipur violence 2023 from May 3
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Takhellambam Geetchandra Meitei
On the 3rd May 2023 a Peace Solidarity Rally was organised by All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) at the hill districts of Churachandpur, Tamenglong, Tengnoupal, Senapati, Kangpokpi, Chandel, Ukhrul of Manipur against the High Court directives to the State Government to send recommendation for listing of Meitei Community in Scheduled Tribe List under the Constitution of India. Large number of people joined the rally at Churachandpur District after some protestors burnt Forest Beat Office, Bungmual in Singhat Constituency. The scene turned more ugly after the protestors started burning and destroying Meitei houses and properties at Torbung area, lying between Churachandpur and Bishnupur District. Police failed to control the mob. Later, the State Home Department suspended Mobile Data Internet Service for 5 days to control the situation. The district administrations imposed total public curfew under sub-section 2 of 144 CrPC 1973.
4th May 2023 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Manipur Chief Minister and took stock of situation. 5 Companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) and 15 other general duty companies were airlifted to Imphal. About 15 Companies of the CRPF are already available in Manipur. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge blames BJP Government for violence in Manipur. The State Chief Minister N. Biren Singh chaired a meeting with Ministers and MLAs at CM Secretariat Imphal and reviewed the law on order situation in the state. Mary Kom, the Olympic medal winning boxer and Rajya Sabha MP asks Prime Minister Modi “My state is burning, kindly help”. Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga speaks to Manipur CM N. Biren for restoration of peace in Manipur and to extend highest cooperation from Mizoram. While several houses, shops, vehicles were burnt in both Meitei & Kuki Communities. Thousands are fleeing to take refuge in Relief Camps. Thanlon AC MLA Vungzagin Valte suffered injuries in mob at Imphal. 12 death bodies lain at RIMS mortuary. The Government of India invoke Article 355 (Duty of the Union to protect States against external aggression and internal disturbance) of the Constitution of India and took over entire security related matters from state government with immediate effect. Kuldiep Singh a retired IPS Officer was appointed as Security Advisor of the state and under him ADGP (Intelligence) Ashutosh Sinha will work as overall operational commander.
5th May 2023 : The number of dead bodies deposited at RIMS, JNIMS and Churachandpur District Hospital reached 54, and number of injured persons undergoing treatment reached 109 at RIMS and JNIMS. Mizoram CM Zoramthanga said the steps to evacuate stranded Mizoram residents are taken, also open helpline. Northern Frontier Railway (NFR) has cancelled Trains to Manipur.
6th May 2023 : CM N Biren chaired an all political parties meeting at his Secretariat. Decisions were taken to appeal for peace, formation of peace committee by MLAs in their respective Constituencies and Government to extend all possible help to those affected. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Army helicopters have been pressed into services for aerial surveillance in ethnic violence of Manipur. 13000 people were rescued and shifted to safe shelter by Indian Army. An elderly man taking shelter in Churachandpur Relief Camp died, suspected to be heart attack. Unknown persons torched heavy machineries and robbed several items from a camp of GPT Infra Projects Limited at Khwanging Village, Churachandpur. Gunfight between State forces and unknown armed groups at Dolaithabi Area, while residents of Ikou, Dolaithabi, Leitanpokpi, Pukhao Villages fled to take refuge in different relief camps.
7th May 2023 : Vinnet Joshi a 1992 Manipur cadre IAS Officer has been appointed as the New Chief Secretary, replacing Dr Rajesh Kumar. The Chairman of Hill Area Committee (HAC) of Manipur Legislative Assembly Dinganglung Gangmei moved the Supreme Court challenging the Manipur High Court order on March 27 which asked the State Government to submit recommendation to give Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to Meetei/Meitei community. Two individuals of Khumbong, Imphal West have been reported missing at Patsoi Police Station.
8th May 2023 : Chief Minister N. Biren held (first Press briefing ever since May 3) at his Secretariat said 20,000 out of 35655 stranded people have been evacuated from violence hit places of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Moreh, IE, IW, Thoubal. He announced Rs 5 lakh each to next to kin of the dead, Rs 2 lakh to the grievously injured and Rs 25,000 for non-grievous injuries. (To be contd)
On the 3rd May 2023 a Peace Solidarity Rally was organised by All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) at the hill districts of Churachandpur, Tamenglong, Tengnoupal, Senapati, Kangpokpi, Chandel, Ukhrul of Manipur against the High Court directives to the State Government to send recommendation for listing of Meitei Community in Scheduled Tribe List under the Constitution of India. Large number of people joined the rally at Churachandpur District after some protestors burnt Forest Beat Office, Bungmual in Singhat Constituency. The scene turned more ugly after the protestors started burning and destroying Meitei houses and properties at Torbung area, lying between Churachandpur and Bishnupur District. Police failed to control the mob. Later, the State Home Department suspended Mobile Data Internet Service for 5 days to control the situation. The district administrations imposed total public curfew under sub-section 2 of 144 CrPC 1973.
4th May 2023 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Manipur Chief Minister and took stock of situation. 5 Companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) and 15 other general duty companies were airlifted to Imphal. About 15 Companies of the CRPF are already available in Manipur. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge blames BJP Government for violence in Manipur. The State Chief Minister N. Biren Singh chaired a meeting with Ministers and MLAs at CM Secretariat Imphal and reviewed the law on order situation in the state. Mary Kom, the Olympic medal winning boxer and Rajya Sabha MP asks Prime Minister Modi “My state is burning, kindly help”. Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga speaks to Manipur CM N. Biren for restoration of peace in Manipur and to extend highest cooperation from Mizoram. While several houses, shops, vehicles were burnt in both Meitei & Kuki Communities. Thousands are fleeing to take refuge in Relief Camps. Thanlon AC MLA Vungzagin Valte suffered injuries in mob at Imphal. 12 death bodies lain at RIMS mortuary. The Government of India invoke Article 355 (Duty of the Union to protect States against external aggression and internal disturbance) of the Constitution of India and took over entire security related matters from state government with immediate effect. Kuldiep Singh a retired IPS Officer was appointed as Security Advisor of the state and under him ADGP (Intelligence) Ashutosh Sinha will work as overall operational commander.
5th May 2023 : The number of dead bodies deposited at RIMS, JNIMS and Churachandpur District Hospital reached 54, and number of injured persons undergoing treatment reached 109 at RIMS and JNIMS. Mizoram CM Zoramthanga said the steps to evacuate stranded Mizoram residents are taken, also open helpline. Northern Frontier Railway (NFR) has cancelled Trains to Manipur.
6th May 2023 : CM N Biren chaired an all political parties meeting at his Secretariat. Decisions were taken to appeal for peace, formation of peace committee by MLAs in their respective Constituencies and Government to extend all possible help to those affected. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Army helicopters have been pressed into services for aerial surveillance in ethnic violence of Manipur. 13000 people were rescued and shifted to safe shelter by Indian Army. An elderly man taking shelter in Churachandpur Relief Camp died, suspected to be heart attack. Unknown persons torched heavy machineries and robbed several items from a camp of GPT Infra Projects Limited at Khwanging Village, Churachandpur. Gunfight between State forces and unknown armed groups at Dolaithabi Area, while residents of Ikou, Dolaithabi, Leitanpokpi, Pukhao Villages fled to take refuge in different relief camps.
7th May 2023 : Vinnet Joshi a 1992 Manipur cadre IAS Officer has been appointed as the New Chief Secretary, replacing Dr Rajesh Kumar. The Chairman of Hill Area Committee (HAC) of Manipur Legislative Assembly Dinganglung Gangmei moved the Supreme Court challenging the Manipur High Court order on March 27 which asked the State Government to submit recommendation to give Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to Meetei/Meitei community. Two individuals of Khumbong, Imphal West have been reported missing at Patsoi Police Station.
8th May 2023 : Chief Minister N. Biren held (first Press briefing ever since May 3) at his Secretariat said 20,000 out of 35655 stranded people have been evacuated from violence hit places of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Moreh, IE, IW, Thoubal. He announced Rs 5 lakh each to next to kin of the dead, Rs 2 lakh to the grievously injured and Rs 25,000 for non-grievous injuries. (To be contd)