New Delhi: Following incidents reported in some of Manipur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has cancelled all of his programmes for the forthcoming Karnataka assembly elections.
The union minter who is closely watching the situation in Manipur, is expected to keep meeting with state officials to discuss the current situation and steps being done to return to normality. He cancelled all of his meetings that were scheduled to take place in favour of holding a number of video conferences and speaking with the chief ministers of the north-eastern states about maintaining the status quo of law and order.
He met the chief ministers of Manipur and several nearby states, including Nagaland, Mizoram, and Assam, earlier on Thursday. This was done in light of the situation in Manipur. He held discussion late at night with Manipur CM N Biren Singh and other top officials in view of the situation in state," sources said.
The central paramilitary forces were depolieud to Manipur to maintain control of the situation. It is said that Shah may visit to the violent state, but the party leaders rejected the idea, saying that for the time being, he will continue to observe events from Delhi. In order to maintain control, flag marches and army and paramilitary forces have been deployed in Manipur.
On May 3, violence broke out at a rally called by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) Manipur in opposition to the demand that the Meitei/Meetei be classified as a Scheduled Tribe. The state administration responded by issuing a prohibitory order and halting internet access for five days throughout the state. A night curfew has also been implemented in a number of the state's districts in addition to the prohibition on big gatherings.
The Army warned citizens to be wary of false films and disinformation. The Spear Corps of the Indian Army tweeted, "Fake Videos on the Security Situation in Manipur including a video of an attack on Assam Rifles post are being circulated by inimical elements for vested interests. IndianArmy requests all to rely on content through official & verified sources only."
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