Manipur state officials on Saturday said the total number of deaths due to ongoing violence now stands 54.
38 deaths were reported in the state capital Imphal: 23 were reported by the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences at Lamphel in West district, and 15 by the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in the Imphal East district. 16 deaths were reported by the Churachandpur district hospital.
Meanwhile, shops and markets reopened on Saturday after three days. Cars were also seen driving on roads, while people were seen buying groceries and other essential commodities, an Indian media outlet reported.
Security forces remain deployed in nine districts of the state. A night curfew from 5 pm to 5 am (Indian Standard Time) was also imposed in all these districts for the past three days.
Nearly 10,000 soldiers from the Army and the Assam Rifles paramilitary force have been deployed in the state, which has been rocked by clashes since Wednesday between the Meitei community, mainly living in the Imphal Valley, and Naga and Naga Kuki tribals, who are inhabitants of the hill districts.
Since then, clashes between the communities have been reported in many areas. So far, 20,000 people have reportedly fled from their homes to adjoining neighbouring states, being left homeless or in government shelters.
Due to the violence, the Internet has been suspended and a curfew imposed in many districts of the state.