Situation in Manipur 'very serious', says Centre as death toll in violence rises to 8

Imphal: Manipur continues to remain tense with the death of eight people and over 30 injured since the violence that took place on Monday and clashes between mobs and police in Churachandpur district.

The violence has been triggered by the passage of three controversial bills by the Assembly on Monday, which has caused resentment among the tribals who fear that their land rights would be snatched by "outsiders".

Terming the situation "very tense", Union Minister Rajnath Singh called up Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh

with an assurance that all central assistance would be provided to the state. "Situation in Manipur is very tense. Curfew has been imposed all around the troubled areas. If necessary, we will take more steps," Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said.

The central government would rush additional paramilitary forces following a request of the state government to assist police in tackling the situation.

Three persons were killed on Tuesday when police opened fire on a mob which attacked Churachandpur police station. Two of the killed were in their 30s while another was 10 year old, sources said. Earlier, five people had died since Monday night in arson and violence.

Four persons were injured in the police firing on Tuesday, taking the total number of the injured to 31. They were admitted to Churachandpur district hospital this evening, a hospital source said.

Five people were killed during a general strike called by the tribal student organisations called a bandh on Monday protesting against the passage of three bills - Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015, Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh amendment) Bill, 2015, and Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 - in the state assembly to protect the indigenous people.

The tribals feared that the passage of the laws would allow "outsiders" to have rights over tribal land. While three bullet-riddled bodies were found in Churachandpur town on Monday, a charred body was recovered from under the debris at the residence of Henglep MLA Manga Vaiphei this morning in the town, a police officer said, adding that another body was also found.

The houses of MP of Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat Thangso Baite, Manipur Family Welfare Minister Phungzaphang Tonsimg, and that of five MLAs, including Manga Vaiphei and Vungzagin Valte of Thanlom, were set on fire in Churachandpur town during the bandh called by the students on Monday evening.

(With PTI inputs)