Curfew imposed, army called in after violence erupts in Indian state

By Shuriah Niazi

NEW DELHI (AA) – The army was called in to assist law enforcement after a curfew was imposed in eight districts of the northeastern Indian state of Manipur following violence that erupted during protests against the inclusion of the non-tribal Meitei community in the "Scheduled Tribes" category.

The curfew was imposed in eight districts of the state, and mobile internet services were suspended in Manipur for the next five days on Wednesday and Indian Army troops were called in to maintain peace in the region, said an official statement.

The army's Spear Corps said on Twitter, "Indian Army and Assam Rifles undertook major rescue operations to evacuate more than 7500 civilians of all communities relentlessly throughout the night to restore law & order in #Manipur."

There has been no official confirmation of casualties, property damage, or arrests during the violent protest so far.

The majority of the Meitei community in the state practices Hinduism, but they also have different deities from other parts of India. Hindus are divided into four castes: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. Outside of this are the Dalits or untouchables. The Dalit community is at the bottom of the Hindu caste system.

On Twitter, the Public Relations Office in Kohima and Imphal districts said in a statement that violence erupted in Manipur's Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Imphal districts.

The Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and Manipur police intervened to control the situation, the statement said.

On April 19, the Manipur High Court in its ruling directed the state government to submit recommendations for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category, which enraged the state's tribal population.

If a community is granted Scheduled Tribe status, it is entitled to political representation, reserved seats in schools, and government jobs.

Because of existing laws, the Meitei community, which accounts for 60% of the state's population, is not permitted to settle in hilly areas.

The tribespeople are concerned that if they are granted Scheduled Tribe status, their proportions in government jobs and land ownership will shrink.

A large number of people participated in the "Tribal Solidarity March" in Churachandpur district on Wednesday to protest the non-tribal Meiteis' inclusion for Scheduled Tribe status, according to a local broadcaster.

Hundreds of tribal people participated in the protest march to oppose the inclusion of the community in the special category, which quickly turned violent and spread to other districts, prompting the state administration to call in the Indian Army to control the situation, the NDTV reported.

In a statement, Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh urged people to cooperate with the government to keep the state peaceful and harmonious.

Meanwhile, opposition Indian Congress party President Mallikarjun Kharge has blamed the state’s situation on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“Manipur is burning. (The) BJP has created fissures among communities and destroyed the peace of a beautiful state,” Kharge said on Twitter, adding that the BJP's politics of hatred, division, and greed for power are to blame for this mess.

In March, the Indian government removed the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which grants security forces immunity from judicial proceedings, from areas under the jurisdiction of four more police stations in Manipur, citing an improvement in law and order situation in the state.​​​​​​​