Army Chief General Manoj Pande to visit violence-hit Manipur, review security situation

• Indian Army chief to visit Manipur amid violence surge, review security measures
• Army and Assam Rifles conduct combing operations in vulnerable areas
• Union Home Minister to visit Manipur for peace talks following clashes between tribals and non-tribals

Amid the recent surge in violence in Manipur, Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande will visit the northeastern state on Saturday to take stock of the security situation.

According to army officials, General Pande will review the measures taken by the Eastern Command to bring the situation in Manipur under control.

Meanwhile, army jawans and Assam Rifles have launched combing operations in vulnerable areas, including the Imphal Valley. Also, the Army and Assam Rifles launched numerous search operations in areas like Kangchuk, Motbung, Saikul, Pukhao and Sagolmang to trace and counter the armed insurgents.

This comes a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was in Assam's Guwahati, said he would visit Manipur to bring peace to the violence-hit northeastern state. “I will visit Manipur and stay there for three days. I will talk to the people of Manipur to bring peace, law and order,” the home minister said.

Clashes erupted on May 3 after hundreds of tribals took out a massive protest march against the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Meitei community. The Manipur High Court had earlier directed the state government to go ahead with the recommendation to grant ST status to the non-tribal community.

At least 60 people lost their lives in clashes that took place between tribals and non-tribals. Several houses and public properties were set on fire and reduced to ashes.

Despite several appeals by Chief Minister N Biren Singh to maintain peace in the state, the two communities are resorting to violence. It is worth mentioning here that Meiteis constitute about 53 percent of the total population of Manipur. On the other hand, tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, form 40 percent of the total population.