Fresh violence erupted in Imphal West district of Manipur, with two houses set ablaze and gunshots fired, according to police reports on Thursday. The incident unfolded in New Keithelmanbi, within the Patsoi police station area, around 10 pm on Wednesday.
Following the attack, the perpetrators fled the scene, causing tension in the area. Police, along with security forces and firefighters, successfully brought the fires under control.
Meanwhile, a gathering of Meitei women, in response to the incident, was prevented from advancing further by security forces. Additional security personnel have been deployed, and the situation is now stabilized.
To provide context, violence first erupted in Manipur on May 3 following a tribal solidarity march. This protest was in response to a Manipur High Court order that suggested considering the Meiteis, the ethnic majority in the state, as part of the scheduled tribe category. Although the state government had not taken any action regarding this court order, the situation escalated rapidly, engulfing the entire state. In the five months that have passed since then, official reports indicate 178 people have lost their lives, and more than 50,000 individuals have been displaced from their homes.
During this period, homes were destroyed, businesses suffered losses, education was disrupted, places of worship were reduced to ashes, and the state endured months without internet access. Unfortunately, many families still await closure and justice.
The region has witnessed over 180 casualties and numerous injuries since the onset of ethnic clashes. Meiteis make up approximately 53% of Manipur’s population, residing predominantly in the Imphal Valley, while Nagas and Kukis, the tribal communities, constitute just over 40% and inhabit the hill districts.
Recently, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Sharad Pawar, expressed concern that despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurance in Parliament, peace remains elusive in strife-torn Manipur. The Shiv Sena (UBT) also raised questions about the efforts of the BJP-led central government to improve the situation in Manipur.
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