Violence has broken out again in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, which has been plagued by inter-caste violence between the Kuki and Meitei ethnic groups for almost a year.
Vatican News
Imphal, Thursday, November 14, 2024 (Fides): With the two communities divided into separate areas, the situation was apparently calm thanks to the strong presence of police forces that prevent any communication between the conflicting groups.
But Linus Neely, archbishop of Imphal, the state capital, tells Fides agency that “this solution is temporary and violence burns under the ashes.”
“That is why it is necessary to engage in dialogue and constructive peace, which is the only decisive step forward,” he said.
Meanwhile, an indefinite curfew was imposed in Jiribam district of western Manipur after fresh violence broke out between a group of armed men and security forces on November 12. The district administration has also banned carrying weapons. Eleven people of the Kuki ethnic group were killed in the shootout with security forces and two police officers were also injured. According to officials, security forces responded to the attack, but the Kuki-Zo tribal committee is demanding a thorough investigation into the incident and has called for a day of remembrance for the victims of what it calls “brutal murder of village volunteers.” says. Communities in the district have protested by closing businesses and suspending commercial and public activities.
Tension has been high in the district since last week, when a tribal woman was raped and murdered, blamed on members of the Meitei community. The next day, a woman from the Meitei community was shot dead, blamed on Kuki avengers.
There have also been reports of heavy firing on the outskirts of the hills and in the Imphal Valley in the last few days. Due to clashes between both ethnic groups, the state government extended the application of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act for another six months from October 1. More than 250 people have died and more than 60,000 have been displaced due to violence since May 2023.
