The military has deployed thousands of troops to the state bordering Myanmar and, issued \u201cshoot-at-sight\u201d orders
\n NEW DELHI
\nSome 23,000 people have fled ethnic violence in northeast India that has reportedly killed at least 54 people, the army said on Sunday, although there was no new \u201cmajor violence\u201d overnight.
\nThe unrest in Manipur state erupted after a protest march by a tribal group last week sparked clashes, with vehicles and houses set on fire and authorities firing tear gas.
\nThe military has deployed thousands of troops to the state bordering Myanmar, issued \u201cshoot-at-sight\u201d orders in \u201cextreme cases\u201d, imposed curfews and cut the internet.
\nThe army said on Sunday no major flare-ups were reported overnight and that a curfew was lifted between 7-10 am in Churachandpur district, one of the main flashpoint areas.
\n\u201cPast 24 hours also witnessed army significantly enhancing surveillance efforts through aerial surveillance, movement of UAVs and redeployment of army helicopters within Imphal Valley,\u201d it said, referring to unmanned aerial vehicles or drones.
\n\u201cTotal 23000 civilians have been rescued till now and were moved to own operating bases\/military garrisons,\u201d the statement said.
\nAuthorities have not given an official death toll but hospital morgues in the state capital Imphal and Churachandpur had reported a combined total of 54 dead, according to local media.
\nTribal groups are unhappy about the prospect of the state\u2019s majority Meitei community being recognised under a \u201cScheduled Tribe\u201d category.
\nThis designation would give them a certain quota of government jobs and college admissions in a form of affirmative action aimed at addressing structural inequality and discrimination.
\nIndia\u2019s northeast has seen decades of unrest among ethnic and separatist groups seeking more autonomy or even secession from India, with at least 50,000 people killed in Manipur since the 1950s.
\nThese conflicts have waned over the years, with many groups striking deals with New Delhi for more powers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The military has deployed thousands of troops to the state bordering Myanmar and, issued \u201cshoot-at-sight\u201d orders NEW DELHI Some 23,000 people have fled ethnic violence in northeast India that has reportedly killed at least 54 people, the army said on Sunday, although there was no new \u201cmajor violence\u201d overnight. The unrest in Manipur state erupted […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":329965,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-329948","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n