In view of the prevailing unprecedented burning situation in Manipur, the Government on Thursday imposed Article 355 in the state, in an effort to control the situation, according to reliable sources.
Article 355 is a part of emergency provisions contained in the Constitution of India that empowers the Central government to take all necessary steps to protect a state against internal disturbances and external aggression.
The government also appointed Ashutosh Sinha, ADGP (Intelligence), as the overall Operational Commander to control the situation and bring normalcy in the state.
According to a government order issued on Thursday, Ashutosh Sinha will work under the guidance and supervision of Kuldeep Singh, Advisor Security, Manipur.
The order stated that the magistrates concerned will detail the required executive magistrates/special excutive magistrates as and when required and requisitioned.
Meanwhile, as many as 1075 personnel of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed in Manipur to bring the situation under control and back to normalcy, official sources said.
They were transported in Indian Air Force flight IL/76, as per the sources. The RAF personnel are brought in from Delhi, Punjab, Tripura and Mumbai, the sources said.
Earlier in the day, the chief minister, in his address to the people of the state, appealed to all to maintain peace and harmony in the state.
According to sources, several houses and other structures were set aflame and many lives lost and properties damaged in the violence that spread on Thursday.
The unprecedented violence followed the Tribal Solidarity March against the ST demand of the Meitei/Meetei community in Manipur conducted in the hill districts of the state. The tribal solidarity march was called by the All Tribal Students Union Manipur on Wednesday in all trubal-inhabited hill districts of the state.
Related:
Manipur Violence: Congress submits memorandum to Governor; seeks Centre's help
Government orders shoot at sight as Manipur continues to burn
Internet services remain suspended in Manipur
Naga legislators appeal to halt all forms of violence immediately
Curfew imposed in several districts of Manipur as violence breaks out over ST demand
