Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha expressed his concern regarding the current situation in Manipur and said that Tripura government is in constant contact with the administration there and also monitoring the situation.
He was speaking to reporters in the sideline of the inauguration of the newly constructed MLA hostel near civil secretariat on Friday.
Dr Saha added that he is also in touch with the Tripura’s students studying in various colleges in Manipur that recently turned violent and yesterday shoot at sight order has been issued.
He said, “I had rang and tried to contact the Manipur Chief Minister (CM) last night and even this morning but to could not take my call, perhaps he is busy. However, I have instructed our Chief Secretary (CS) and the Director General of Police (DGP) to be in contact with the administration there (at Manipur) as around 150 students are studying there in the medical college, dental college and in the agriculture college.”
Tripura government has also opened a helpline number for proving round the clock support to residents of Tripura with respect to disturbance in Manipur.
Saha added, “We have opened a 24 by 7 help line and I have also spoken with a doctor of Tripura who is a faculty there (at RIMS) and he had collect the phone number of the office bearers of the Tripura student’s union and I have spoken with them and enquired about the present scenario. They informed that they are still and safe in the hostel under the protection of CRPF.”
The Chief Minister informed that depending on the situation the Tripura government is also looking into evacuating the state’s students in Manipur if necessary.
He said, “Last night shoot at sight order was there and probably in the day hours there will be some relaxation and accordingly they are going to be shifted to some other safe area but under proper protection and not in a hurried manner. They informed that depending on the situation steps will be taken and if necessary shall they shall be evacuated. I am also going to speak with the Governor. Now I am again going to sit with our CS and discuss on what shall be our future step. In the 24by7 helpline there are officials from the CRPF, police and disaster management who are in constant monitor of the situation and also in contact with the students.”
On the present scenario in the neighbouring state the Tripura CM said, “The Manipur government is already in contact with the union Home Minister and I am confident that whatever necessary will be done and gradually the situation of Manipur will turn normal.”
In Manipur on Wednesday during a protest march by tribals against a Manipur High Court order backing the inclusion of non-tribal Meities in the list of Scheduled Tribes. On the following day the state government has issued “shoot at sight” orders as violence in the state spread to its capital Imphal. Security has been strengthened with the deployment of 55 army columns and the Rapid Action Force has also been flown in.
