Security personnel conduct searches in a sensitive area of Manipur.
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: Acknowledging that the security scenario in Manipur has remained "fragile" for the past few days, the Narendra Modi government on Saturday said that security forces had been directed to take necessary steps to restore order and peace in the ethnic violence-hit state.
The statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) came as a fresh wave of violence erupted in the north-eastern state following the killing of 11 suspected militants, who allegedly attacked a police station and an adjoining CRPF camp in Manipur's Jiribam district.
Over 200 people have been killed and hundreds injured in ethnic violence between the Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May 3 last year.
Opposition parties, including the Congress, have been accusing the ruling BJP of not doing enough to bring the situation under control.
"The security scenario in Manipur has remained fragile for the past few days. Armed miscreants from both communities in conflict have been indulging in violence leading to unfortunate loss of lives and disruption in public order," the MHA said.
Important cases have been handed over to NIA for "effective investigation," the statement said, while appealing to the public to maintain peace, not believe in rumours and cooperate with the security forces to maintain law and order in the state.
"All the security forces have been directed to take necessary steps to restore order and peace. Strict action would be initiated against anyone trying to indulge in violent and disruptive activities," the MHA said.
Following the eruption of violence in the state, which also witnessed the abduction of six civilians by suspected militants following the killings on Monday, the MHA had reimposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Manipur's six police station limits, including Jiribam where tension had been building.
These six police station limits did not find space in the list of localities when the MHA imposed AFSPA on October 1 but over a month later, these areas were declared "Disturbed Area" under the contentious law.