Officials say rioting and ethnic confrontations in Manipur last week killed 62 people and displaced 35,000. N Biren Singh, Manipur’s chief minister, told reporters late Monday that 230 people were injured and 1,700 homes burnt in the unrest. In Manipur, 30 tribal groups fought the ethnic majority Meitei over economic, educational, and political benefits. Imphal police reported 62 deaths in the hills and valley combat, but there was no violence over the weekend. Scroll.in reported 65 deaths on Monday, but three BJP lawmakers told Reporters it was 70.
Singh said hundreds of citizens, escorted by security, were coming home after police and military patrolled the streets and enforced a dawn-to-dusk curfew, which remains in effect. “It’s slowly getting better. He ordered a high-level investigation following the violent confrontations. As representatives from opposing sides attended peace talks on Monday, state parliamentarian Lorho S Pfoze said the administration was working to help locals return home. “The situation is extremely tense, and victims are scared to return to their villages as they fear clashes,” he added. Amit Shah told India Today on Monday that Manipur was under control and urged its people to be peaceful. After more than 50,000 Kukis and other largely Christian tribal people protested in Churachandpur and surrounding districts last week, Manipur, which borders Myanmar, erupted in violence. They protested the Meitei Hindu community’s desire for special status that would grant them the right to farm on forest land, low bank loans, health and educational facilities, and a quota of government positions. Scheduled tribes have government employment, college spots, and elected seats from village councils to parliament in India. Affirmative action to address past structural inequality and prejudice. Minority hill community leaders claimed giving the Meitei group extra rights would be unjust because it is well-off. The Meiteis promise tribespeople job quotas and other perks.
Two-thirds of the state’s 2.5 million residents live in a valley that covers 10% of the state. Kuki and other tribes reside in the hills. Last month, the Manipur High Court ordered the government to evaluate the Meitei community’s plea to become a scheduled tribe. Imphal rights organizations reported tensions began to rise. Recognized tribes opposed the request. “The tribal and non-tribal groups have had a history of jealousy over the distribution of economic resources and opportunities, but this time their anger just couldn’t be contained,” said Khuraijam Athouba, a member of the Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity who attended Monday’s peace talks. He warned that all sides must halt the violence or face months of curfew.
