Manipur spills: Police detain 16 from Shillong's ethnic clash

Shillong: Post the civil unrest and ethnic violence in Manipur, the same spilt over Shillong, Meghalaya's capital, on Friday. Officials informed that 16 people were arrested in connection with the incident.

There were clashes in Nongrim Hills near the Mizo Morden School on Thursday evening. A police team rushed to the spot immediately and apprehended 16 persons from the two communities.

Senior police officials warned both communities of stringent actions against those trying to vitiate the peace in the city.

In Manipur, the Central Government on Friday imposed Article 355.

Article 355 of the Constitution contains emergency provisions that empower the Centre to take all necessary steps to protect a state against internal disturbances and external aggression.

Director General of Manipur Police, P. Doungel, while talking to the media said that after reviewing the overall situation, Article 355 had been imposed in the entire state allowing the Centre to take all necessary steps to bring the situation under control and protect the lives and properties of the people.

The police chief said that some miscreants looted arms from a police station in the Bishnupur district, and he urged them to return the arms and ammunition, failing which stern action would be initiated against them.

Army and Assam Rifles continued to conduct flag marches in several trouble-torn districts of Manipur for the third day on Friday, even as sporadic incidents were reported from different areas. Adefence spokesman on Friday said that flag marches were underway in several areas, especially in the most volatile Churachandpur district.

He claimed that the situation was brought under control in many areas through coordinated actions by all stakeholders.