Manipur violence: Five killed in fresh clashes; Amit Shah to visit today

40 militants killed so far: CM Biren Singh

ITDC INDIA EPRESS/ITDC NEWS Ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Manipur, fresh violence erupted in Imphal on Sunday night. As many as five people including a security official was killed in the fresh clashes that rocked the state.

According to Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, the fresh clashes broke out between the armed militants and security forces. The clashes began after the army commenced operations to de-arm communities in order restore peace in the state.

Meanwhile, Shah is set to visit the violence-hit state on Monday.

While addressing the media on Sunday, Singh said that around 40 militants were killed so far in the past four days. In the wake of the fresh violence that broke out, he urged the people to maintain peace and remain calm.

Due to the current tense situation, the internet ban has been extended till May 31.

Congress leaders to meet President

Congress slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the recent violence in Manipur. PM Modi is obsessed about his "self-coronation", said the party.

A delegation led by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will be meeting President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday regarding the situation in the state.

“Twenty five days after Manipur started burning, things turned from bad to worse on the eve of the long-awaited visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Imphal,” said party general secretary Jairam Ramesh.

"Despite Article 355 being imposed, there's a total and complete breakdown of law and order and administration in the state," Ramesh tweeted.

"It's a horrific tragedy unfolding while the prime minister is obsessed about his self-coronation. Not a single appeal of peace issued by him nor has there been a genuine outreach to rebuild trust between communities," he said in an apparent reference to the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Modi.

Since the ethnic clashes that broke out on May 3, over 75 people lost their lives. The clashes began during the 'Tribal Solidarity March', a protest march that was organised against the Meitei community's demand for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The violence was preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations.