We shall... deal with any mob violence very firmly

Manipur police chief A S Siddiqui

On Monday the demonstrators burnt down more than 20 official buildings including the state legislative assembly and offices of political parties and politicians.

Manipuris are angry at the agreement between the Indian Government and the rebel National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) which they fear could break up their state.

Violence

Thousands of protesters are still demonstrating outside the residence of the state governor, which they attempted to storm on Monday.

They have demanded that state legislators as well as Manipur MPs in Delhi resign or face "public wrath".

On Monday, four legislators - including assembly speaker Sapam Dhananjoy - were admitted to hospital with serious burn injuries, following the attack on the assembly building.

The assembly was burnt down on Monday

Extra units of riot police and army troops have been requisitioned and are being flown into the state, amid fears that militant rebels could take advantage of the situation and launch attacks.

Helicopters are also reported to be patrolling over the skies of the capital, Imphal.

There are also concerns over plans to hold mass, public funerals for those killed in the violence.

There will be no change in the borders of Manipur at all

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee

"We shall be holding peace committee meetings and want to see how the people react, as the family members of those killed will be coming to take possession of the dead bodies," Manipur police chief A S Siddiqui said.

"We shall only allow the nearest family members to come to the morgue and deal with any mob violence very firmly," he warned.

Truce deal opposed

Last week the Indian Government decided to widen its four-year ceasefire with the NSCN to cover areas outside Nagaland, where the group has a presence.

Extra troops have been requisitioned

This has been opposed by people in Manipur and the states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam - which border Nagaland.

They say the move will undermine their local authorities and cause unrest, and could also be the first step towards carving a greater Nagaland out of their territory.

"This is a definite ploy by the Indian Government to concede to the NSCN's demand and we shall shed blood to see that the idea does not work out," Biren Shah, a Manipuri activist, said.

But Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has said the violence was a result of misconception and appealed for calm.

"The ceasefire with the Naga group does not affect Manipur or any other state. There will be no change in the borders of Manipur at all," Mr Vajpayee said.