The Manipur government, on Tuesday, announced that summer vacations in the State will be preponed as security personnel have set up camps in educational institutions following the ethnic clashes in the state that has the whole northeast shook.
As per the notification, summer vacation for schools will be from 4-30 May and for Manipur University, it will begin on 15 May till 5 June.
Over 50 companies of paramilitary forces are stationed in Manipur in wake of the violence in the state.
State health minister Dr. Sapam Ranjan and education minister Th. Basantakumar while addressing the media today at DIPR conference hall said the situation in Manipur is relatively peaceful today compared to past few days and that no major incidents of violence were reported apart from some sporadic incidents.
Ranjan said that at present there are only about 4,000 displaced people in relief camps. The number in such camps is decreasing day by day as people are being transferred to their safe destinations including homes.
He added that altogether 216 FIRs have been lodged in connection with the recent violence and the security forces have also recovered 247 arms and 4679 ammunition so far. Chief minister N Biren Singh had earlier informed that 1041 guns were looted from security force personnel. The ministers also reiterated the appeal to surrender weapons at the earliest.
1,930 people mainly students from outside Manipur evacuated safely till today, they added.
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Meanwhile, US-based senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda has expressed serious concern over the “alarming situation” in Manipur and called for an immediate end to violence in the northeastern state.
“IOC (Indian Overseas Congress) leadership is concerned about the alarming situation in Manipur where our Christian community has suddenly suffered due to the burning of 25 churches and 500 homes,” Pitroda said in a statement on Monday in his capacity as chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC).
This must stop immediately. Peace must prevail to assure the safety, security, and well-being of all the people in the area, he said.
“Our sympathies are with the people of Manipur and the families and friends of the people affected by this violence and tragedy,” Pitroda said.
Expressing the strongest condemnation of all forms of violence, George Abraham, vice-chair of the Indian Overseas Congress, USA alleged that it is the repeat of the same BJP strategy of exploiting differences and targeting minority communities to gain political advantage.
In a statement, IOC USA said that Manipur borders Myanmar and is home to a diverse range of ethnic groups, including Meiteis, who are a numerical majority in the state and are predominantly Hindu, and various tribal communities, who are largely Christian.
(With inputs from PTI)
