New Delhi, May 06, 2023 (PPI-OT):In view of the prevailing widespread unrest in Manipur, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led government has imposed Article 355 in the disturbed state to control the situation. Article 355 is a part of emergency provisions contained in the Constitution that empowers the Indian government to take all necessary steps to protect a state against internal disturbances and external aggression.

Director General of Manipur Police, P. Doungel while talking to the media said after reviewing the overall situation, Article 355 has been imposed in the entire state allowing the Central government to take all necessary steps to bring the situation under control and protect the lives and properties of the people.

The police chief said that some miscreants looted arms from a police station in Bishnupur district and he urged them to return the arms and ammunition failing which stern action would be initiated against them. “The situation in Manipur is expected to be brought under control in a day or two,” he said.

Indian Army and Assam Rifles continue to conduct flag marches in several trouble-torn districts of Manipur even as sporadic incidents are being reported from different areas. The Manipur government on Thursday appointed Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) Ashutosh Sinha as the overall Operational Commander to control the situation and bring normalcy in the state.

The situation turned seriously volatile after thousands turned up for the ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ on Wednesday to oppose the demand for inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.

Following the rally, clashes, attacks, counter-attacks among different communities and burning of houses and shops took place in different districts, forcing the authorities to suspend mobile internet services for five days, while a night curfew was also imposed in several tension-ridden mountainous districts, including Imphal West, Bishnupur, Jiribam, Tenugopal, and Churachandpur.

The state government on Wednesday night requisitioned the Army and Assam Rifles to control the ethnic violence in at least six districts. Tribals – the Nagas and Kukis who are mainly Christians – constitute about 40 per cent of the state’s around three million population and inhabit the hill districts which account for much of the state’s land.

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