Indian Army, Assam Rifles rescue 23,000 civilians in violence-hit Manipur; curfew partially relaxed in Churachandpur

Almost 23,000 civilians have been successfully rescued and transported to the operating bases by the Indian Army and Assam Rifles, who were called in to stop the violence in Manipur, according to a statement from the Indian Army on Sunday.

According to the statement, there have been no significant acts of violence reported since the rescue operation got underway, which allowed for a relaxation of the curfew in Churachandpur, which is now in effect from 7 am to 10 am today.

 “Ray of hope due to efforts of 120- 125 Army and Assam Rifles columns who are working tirelessly for past 96 hours to rescue civilians across all communities, curb violence and restore normalcy has emerged with no major violence being reported and curfew, therefore being relaxed from 7-10 am today in Churachandpur followed by flag march by Security Forces immediately thereafter,” the Army statement said.

“Total 23000 civilians have been rescued till now and were moved to own operating bases/ military Garrisons,” it added.

Earlier on May 3, the district administration imposed a full curfew in violence-plagued Churachandpur in Manipur due to tension over the effort to protect forests in the face of opposition from illegal immigrants as well as the High Court’s directive to include Meitei in scheduled tribes.

According to the statement, the Army has significantly increased its surveillance efforts over the past 24 hours through aerial surveillance, the movement of UAVs, and the redeployment of Army helicopters within Imphal Valley.

On May 3 and 4, the Manipur government requisitioned the army and the Assam Rifles.
According to State’s Director General of Police P Doungel, after security forces’ intervention, the situation in the State has improved.