Shillong, May 4: In view of the widespread violence across the state of Manipur, the Government of Manipur on Thursday evening issued ‘shoot at sight’ order.

An order by T. Ranjit Singh, Commissioner(Home), Government of Manipur, stated: “…in order to maintain public order and tranquillity in the State, the Governor of Manipur is pleased to authorize all District Magistrates, Sub Divisional Magistrates and all Executive Magistrates/Special Executive Magistrate detailed by the District Magistrates concerned to issue Shoot at Sight orders in extreme cases whereby all forms of persuasion, warning, reasonable force, etc. had been exhausted under the provision of law under CrPC, 1973 and the situation could not be controlled.”

Internet was suspended for five days and curfew clamped in 8 districts on Wednesday night after violence erupted in many parts of the State, especially Churachandpur, Senapati, Chandel, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, and Jiribam districts.

The violence erupted after the ‘Tribal Solidarity March against Meetei/Meitei ST Demand’ called by the All Tribal Student Union, Manipur (ATSUM) on Wednesday afternoon, which was carried out in all the hill districts of the state. While the march was mostly peaceful, violence erupted in the evening.

Several houses and churches belonging to tribal people in various parts of the state were reportedly burnt down in the violence that escalated on Thursday.

According to ATSUM president Paotinthang Lupheng, violence started after some people burnt the Anglo-Kuki War Memorial gate in Churachandpur. He also claimed that houses of tribals and churches were being burnt down in Imphal and other places.

Reportedly, violence began in an area bordering Bishnupur and Churchandpur districts, after which it spread of others parts of the state, including attacks on homes of tribal residents in Imphal city.

As of now, Army and Assam Rifles have been called in for flag marches. They have also evacuated around 8000 people from different parts of the state and taken to shelter camps.