Manipur students of two ethnic groups clash in Delhi University, situation under control: Report
New Delhi: While the law-and-order situation in tense Manipur is gradually returning to normal, a group of Kuki students from the north-eastern state living on the Delhi University North Campus have alleged that they were attacked by a group of Meiti students on Thursday night, media reports said.
The Kuki students have alleged that the Maurice Nagar Police Station refused to file an FIR when they approached the cops on Friday, after which the students staged a protest outside the police station, news agency ANI reported.
The situation is now under control, police said, adding that action has been taken and some students have been detained in connection with the incident.
The clash between the students of two ethnic groups of Manipur at Delhi University follows the outbreak of violence in the northeastern state, primarily between the Meitei community residing in the Imphal Valley and the Kuki tribals who inhabit the hill districts.
Deadly clashes erupted on Wednesday after the All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) organised a protest rally against the Court order of the Manipur High Court which gave direction to the Manipur government to take a decision on the demand of the Meitei community to include them in the ST list.
Amid the 'Tribal Solidarity March' by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur in the Torbung area of Churachandpur district, an armed mob allegedly attacked people belonging to the Meitei community, which led to retaliatory attacks in the valley districts, ultimately leading to widespread violence throughout the state.
Approximately 53 percent of the population in Manipur comprises Meiteis, residing predominantly in the Imphal Valley, while the remaining 40 percent consists of tribal communities such as Kukis, residing primarily in the hill districts surrounding the Valley.
As the situation worsened, Manipur Government requisitioned Army and Assam Rifles on May 3 and 4.
According to the Director General of Police of the state, P Doungel, the situation in the state has shown improvement following the intervention of security forces.
The Director General of Police further stated that several forces, including RAF, BSF, and CRPF, have been deployed in Manipur to maintain peace.
Additionally, Kuldiep Singh, the chief of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), has been appointed as the security advisor. The State government has also assigned Ashutosh Sinha, the Additional Director-General of Police (Intelligence), as the overall operational commander responsible for controlling the situation in Manipur.
On Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a review meeting with Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and top officials to assess the situation in the state. The Centre has also sent additional security forces and anti-riot vehicles to maintain peace in Manipur.
"Prompt response by Security Forces led to rescuing of civilians of all communities from various minority pockets of areas affected by violence. As a result, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Moreh, and Kakching are now under firm control with no major violence reported since yesterday night," the Defence PRO said.
A deployment of approximately 10,000 personnel from the Army and the Assam Rifles has taken place in Manipur.
According to sources, 10 more companies of central paramilitary personnel (approx. 1,000 personnel) with anti-riot vehicles arrived in Manipur on Friday following orders of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
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