The death toll in the ethnic violence that has engulfed Manipur reportedly went up to 52 on Saturday.
Published May 06, 2023 | 10:00 PM ⚊ Updated May 06, 2023 | 10:01 PM
Clashes in Manipur. (Twitter)
In the wake of the violent clashes taking place in Manipur, the Telangana Police on Saturday, 6 May, set up an emergency helpline for Telangana citizens stranded in violence-hit Manipur.
Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) Anjani Kumar said Telangana Police is coordinating with Manipur Police to provide support.
This comes as the death toll in the ethnic violence that has engulfed Manipur reportedly went up to 52 on Saturday.
Citizens can contact the Telangana helpline number 7901643283 and DIG Sumathi Badugula for assistance.
The phone lines are open round-the-clock and citizens can also email dgp@tspolice.gov.in.
Clashes in Manipur. (Twitter)
Speaking with South First, DIG Badugula said, “We have launched this helpline so we can bring back the stranded students in Manipur. So far, several students have contacted us and we are in the process of bringing them back.”
The officer added that the Telangana cops are asking the location of the students and then connecting to the Manipur police for further assistance.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday made an appeal to the people to avoid any form of violence. He said that “strict instruction has been given to the police and para military to take action against those who create disturbances in the law and order of the state.”
“I appeal to everyone in Manipur to restrain from any form of violence. The state police and the para military have been given strict instruction to take action against those who create disturbances in the law & order of the state,” Singh posted on Twitter.
This comes after four people were shot dead in Manipur’s Churachandpur when security forces were carrying out evacuation of Meiteis in the area, and another was killed in Imphal.
The shooting in Churachandpur comes after days of fierce clashes between the state’s majority and dominant Meitei community and the Kuki tribe and other hill tribes. The clashes erupted over the Meiteis seeking to get designated as Scheduled Tribes (STs).
The shooting happened when tribals allegedly tried to intervene in the evacuation of Meiteis in the area.
Christian organisations in India on 5 May appealed for calm amid the violence unfolding in Manipur between the Kuki-Zomi and Meitei communities.
The United Christian Forum of North East India said a power struggle among different groups has led to conflicts, violence, arson and loss of life. It invited all churches to join “a collective effort to pray for peace” on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Bengaluru and a leading figure in India’s Catholic community, Dr Peter Machado, reportedly claimed Christians were being targeted in the state.
Thankful to the All Manipur Christian Organization (AMCO) for reaching out to me at this crucial juncture and assured to extend their full support in bringing peace in Manipur. pic.twitter.com/NKJOQ7de0S
— N.Biren Singh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@NBirenSingh) May 6, 2023
