Railways cancels all Manipur-bound trains till May 6 amid violence

The North East Frontier Railway has canceled all trains to Manipur in view of the violence that has gripped the state in recent days as classes between tribals and non-tribals continue.

Earlier, the railways had issued a cancellation order pending appeal, but later revised it to May 5 and 6.

Violence gripped Manipur after clashes broke out during a 'Tribal Solidarity March' in Tobung area of ​​Churchandpur district. The protest was staged by tribal communities against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. Internet services remain suspended in the state as the Center has deployed heavy contingents of paramilitary forces.

Army, Assam Rifled and RAF personnel are carrying out rescue operations in the affected areas and around 9,000 people have been shifted to shelters. As many as 55 army columns have been deployed to contain the spiraling violence that has now spilled into the capital Imphal.

The state government has issued shoot orders in extreme cases like violence between non-tribal Meitei and tribal Kuki communities. Although the exact death toll is not yet known, Chief Minister N Biren Singh had earlier said that some precious lives have been lost. On Wednesday, Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the chief ministers of Manipur and its neighboring state to take stock of the situation on the ground and assured all necessary help from the Center to maintain law and order in the northeastern state.

The army also issued a warning against the spread of fake videos of violence on the internet, including one of an attack on an Assam Rifles post. Curfew remained in place in the non-tribal-dominated districts of Imphal West, Kakching, Thoubal, Jiribam and Bishnupur and in the tribal-dominated districts of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal.