At least five killed as ethnic violence flares in India’s Manipur

In the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, violence has erupted once again, resulting in the deaths of at least five individuals, including a civilian. The recent clashes are part of a prolonged and volatile conflict between two ethnic communities: the predominantly Hindu Meitei and the mainly Christian Kuki tribes. This ongoing strife has been fueled by disputes over economic resources, government employment, and education benefits.

For more than a year, Manipur has been marred by periodic violence between these communities. The situation has been exacerbated by a court ruling that mandated the state government to extend certain benefits enjoyed by the Kuki community to the Meitei community. This decision has further inflamed tensions and contributed to the recent surge in violence.

On Saturday, the district of Jiribam, situated on the border with Myanmar, became the epicenter of the latest confrontation. According to Krishna Kumar, the deputy commissioner of Jiribam, intense fighting broke out early in the day between armed groups representing both communities. The Press Trust of India reported that a civilian was tragically shot while asleep, and four armed combatants were killed in a subsequent exchange of gunfire. In response to the violence, police forces were engaged in a firefight with suspected Kuki militants. The police statement described a fierce confrontation, with officers returning fire and successfully repelling the attackers. This incident is part of a broader pattern of escalation that has been observed in the region.

Manipur, with a population of approximately 3.2 million, has been effectively divided into two distinct enclaves since the onset of the ethnic conflict in May 2023. The Meitei community primarily resides in the valley region, while the Kuki community dominates the hilly areas. A stretch of no-man’s land, monitored by federal paramilitary forces, separates these two zones, adding to the complexity of the situation.

In light of the recent violence, the state government has taken precautionary measures, including the closure of all schools on Saturday. This decision was made to ensure the safety of students and educational staff amid the escalating unrest. The violence has also seen a troubling development with the use of drones to deploy explosive devices, a tactic that has raised significant concerns among authorities.

The Indian Express reported that these drones appeared to carry improvised explosive devices, which were described as “homemade projectiles” fashioned from galvanized iron pipes and explosives. While police officials suspect that Kuki armed groups are behind the use of these drones, the Kuki community has denied any involvement.

Since the outbreak of the conflict, more than 225 people have lost their lives, and around 60,000 individuals have been displaced from their homes. The ongoing violence has created a dire humanitarian situation, with widespread disruption and suffering for many residents of Manipur.

The situation in Manipur underscores the severe impact of ethnic tensions and highlights the urgent need for effective conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts. The international community, along with local and national authorities, faces a challenging task in addressing the root causes of the conflict and working towards a lasting resolution.