At least five people have died and scores have been injured in recent clashes in India’s northeastern state of Manipur, where communities have been plagued by ethnic violence for nearly two years.
The ongoing violence in Manipur between armed militant groups, government-backed vigilantes, and state security forces has killed more than 260 people and displaced over 60,000 since May 2023.
Since then, India’s Supreme Court has noted the “absolute breakdown of law and order” in Manipur. The state also faces a growing humanitarian crisis, as thousands of displaced people lack sufficient aid and essential resources.
The violence is largely the result of divisions between the state’s predominant Meitei community, which is mostly Hindu, and the tribal Kuki-Zo communities, which are largely Christian. The communities in the state are segregated by police checkpoints and barriers.
The latest series of clashes began after Manipur’s divisive chief minister, who demonstrated a pro-Meitei bias and protected Meitei vigilante groups, resigned in February. His administration’s actions flamed tensions between the state’s ethnic communities, resulting in horrific attacks. The former chief minister denied allegations of bias.
Several Kuki women have reported sexual violence, including rape, by Meitei men. Meitei mobs, including armed militants, have burned down, attacked, and vandalized homes, businesses, villages, and places of worship, mostly targeting the Kuki-Zo community.
Suspected Kuki militants have on different occasions killed Meitei people during attacks on villages. In one attack, suspected militants abducted and killed three Meitei women and three children in Jiribam district, while two men were burned to death.
The central Indian government has announced some promising measures, like disarming militant groups in the state and reducing segregation between the communities. It should also provide humanitarian assistance to those affected and ensure perpetrators of abuses are held accountable.
But before the violence can end, communities need to rebuild trust between themselves and the government. And that road could be long.
Read More
