Manipur violence: One year on, sporadic clashes, gun battles continue in Indian state
File photo.
A year ago on May 3, 2023, ethnic violence broke out in the northeast Indian state of Manipur between theMeitei community and tribal Kukis. Since then, at least 220 people havebeen killed, thousands injuredand tens of thousands displaced.
Friday marks the first anniversary of the violence. Althoughmuch of the violence was put downwithin days, sporadic clashes, gun battles, and bomb attacks have continued in Manipurwhichhas a populationof 3.2 million.
A report by the news agency Reuters said that security forces were on heightened alert in the state on the first anniversary of the violence.
"Elaborate preventive measures are in place," a top police official told Reuters.
How the violence broke out
The violence in Manipur erupted after a court ordered thestate government to consider extendingspecialeconomic benefits and quotas in government jobs and education enjoyed by the Kukis to the majority community of Meiteis as well.
Kukismake up16 per cent of the populationwhileMeiteis form 53 per cent.
The Kukis demanded thefederal government carve out a separate administration to govern the hills dominated by Kukis, accusing the state government of being partial to the Meiteis.
The violence specifically grabbed global headlines after news came in that three women were stripped and paraded by a mob. The police said that they registered a case of gang rape and abduction, and soonthe culprits were arrested.
Kukis to observe May 3 as 'Kuki-Zo Awakening Day'
Reuters reported that theKuki InpiManipur, the apex body of the Kukis, said itwillobserve May 3 as "Kuki-Zo Awakening Day", or a day for "introspection" and "self-realisation".
Kuki-dominated hill districts will hold mass prayers at churches followed by meetings to rememberthose who lost their lives the past year.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), another body representing Kuki interests, has called for a shutdown through the day in the Kuki-dominated district of Churachandpur to "honour the sacrifices and struggles of our warriors".
(With inputs from agenices)