The Manipur government has issued a "shoot at sight" order in ‘extreme cases’ across several parts of the north-eastern state of Manipur on Wednesday as clashes between tribals and the Meitei community raged over a Manipur High Court order.
The court had directed the state to consider the inclusion of Meitis in the list of Scheduled Tribes, which had incensed the tribals who comprise less than 50 per cent of the population.
Around 500 personnel of the Rapid Action Force, a riot control police, have been deployed and are joining the forces of the army, Assam Rifles, the Central Reserve Police Force and the state police
Manipur chief minister blamed the incidents on "prevailing misunderstanding" between communities and said his government was taking steps to control the situation.
Meanwhile, mobile internet services have also been suspended in many parts of the state for five days.