Ethnic violence in Manipur claims 73 lives; resulting in mass exodus

Nearly 73 died and around 250 were injured as a result of theethnic violence that broke out in Manipur on May 3.Thousands of men and women have taken shelter in the neighbouring districts of Mizoram and Assam. Nearly 6,665 men, women and children have taken shelter in the neighbouring districts of Mizoram and around 3,000 have fled to Cachar, Assam.

As per reports of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an organisation working with the state’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government to restore peace, nearly 7,472 Meiteis have migrated to Imphal while 5,200 Kukis have left Imphal. The violence has resulted in nearly 23,000 people migrating to other regions of the country.

Clashes between Meitei and Kuki

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The violence started as a result of a clash between the Hindu majority, Meitei and the Christian Kuki tribe in Churachandpur district on May 3, when Kukis took part in a solidarity march organised by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in protest against an April 19 Manipur high court order directing the state government to give Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservation to the Meitei community. After the rally ended, a mob allegedly set fire to the Anglo-Kuki War Memorial gate.

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As a result of the ongoing violence, thousands of students and locals of the region were rescued by the state government after making special arrangements.

Violence and large-scale destruction of property

The recent episode of ethnic violence in Manipur caused large-scale damage to houses and various other properties. Several states made special arrangements and brought out their citizens from strife-torn Manipur.

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A series of arson and killings were reported in several districts of Manipur. Keeping in mind the deteriorating situation of the state, the government deployed the army, imposed a state-wide curfew and suspended all internet services. The ban on the internet continues across Manipur, however, the duration of the curfew has been relaxed in some areas.

Letzamang Haokip,BJP MLA from Henglep, Churachandpur district, along with nine other tribal legislators, demandeda separate administration for the hills under the Constitution. Chief Minister N Biren Singh rejected his demandson May 15, after consultation withUnion Home Minister, Amit Shah.

Meiteis and the tribal belonging to Chin, Kuki, Mizo, Zomi, Chakma tribes have been living both in Manipur and other northeastern states for several decades. In Manipur, the Meitei community, comprising the Hindu Vaishnavs accounts for 53% of the population against 44% represented by 33 tribes in the region. Previously too, the northeastern states have witnessed violence in the region owing to an ethnic clash.

(with inputs from agencies)

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