Manipur is on the boil again. The army and Assam Rifles have “deployed an adequate number of columns for area domination in all affected areas” since Wednesday evening and rescued more than 7,500 people overnight who had to be shifted to safe areas away from places where violence had broken out between communities. Magistrates have been authorised to issue shoot-at-sight orders if required, to control the situation.
Other central paramilitaries are also out patrolling the streets, with additional companies of the Rapid Action Force being airlifted from Hindon air base. The state government has ordered mobile internet services to be suspended for five days starting Wednesday across the state, apprehending a likelihood of “serious disturbances to the entire peaceful co-existence of the communities and maintenance of public order”.
