VIOLENCE. At least 54 people died when violence erupted in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur. Nearly 10,000 soldiers have been deployed to control the situation. (Anadolu)
NEW DELHI – At least 54 people have lost their lives in violence that broke out this week in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, according to local media reports.
The situation is reported to be tense in the state after the violence that erupted on Wednesday during protests against the inclusion of the non-tribal Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes category, which would give them a number of privileges.
According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), some 54 people have died in the violence.
Citing a defense spokesperson, the news agency said a total of 13,000 people in the state have been rescued and taken to safe shelters.
Nearly 10,000 soldiers from the army and the Assam Rifles paramilitaries have been deployed in the state to control the situation.
Indian Law Minister Kiren Rijiju in New Delhi on Saturday called the violence that erupted in Manipur “very unfortunate,” adding that the government is taking all necessary steps.
Home Minister Amit Shah also said he is constantly monitoring the situation. (Anadolu)
