Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh declared that schools will reopen on July 5 for classes 1 through 8.
“We have decided to deploy state security forces and paramilitary forces in vulnerable areas. Deploy more security personnel in five particular districts. We have decided to reopen the schools for standards 1 to 8 from 5th July,” Biren Singh told the reporters.
On Monday evening, the Chief Minister briefed the media at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.
Schools have been closed since the first week of May due to the exceedingly volatile environment in the state. The ethnic violence started on May 3 in Churachandpur after tribal Kuki organizations called for protests against a proposal to confer scheduled tribe status to the Meitei population, which is the majority.
So far, it has killed at least 118 individuals and displaced roughly 40,000 people. Thousands of people are being housed in relief camps. Internet services are still suspended in the state, and curfews are in effect in some locations. Home Minister Amit Shah paid a visit to the state and pledged many efforts to restore calm.
The Manipur Chief Minister further stated that all illegally built bunkers in both hill and valley areas would be demolished, providing positions for security troops on hilltops to better control the situation in the state.
Regarding the arrival of monsoon, Manipur CM said, “The need to take up agricultural activities on time, around 2000 security personnel including Manipur Rifles and IRB had been mobilised for additional deployment at places adjoining the hill areas, where agricultural works are being taken up. The security personnel deployed would guard and prevent disturbances caused to farmers of both communities by armed miscreants.”