Escalating Ethnic Violence in Manipur, India Results in Six Deaths – Reuters

By Tora Agarwala

GUWAHATI, India – Fresh violence erupted between two conflicting ethnic communities in Manipur, a state in northeast India, resulting in the deaths of six individuals, including one civilian, according to local authorities.

The clashes between the majority Meitei community and the tribal Kukis have been ongoing since last year, following a court decision that mandated the consideration of extending the special economic benefits and job quotas currently enjoyed by the Kukis to the Meiteis as well.

Reports indicate that more than 225 fatalities have occurred, with around 60,000 people displaced due to the unrest.

The recent gunfire incident marks the highest number of casualties in a single day during the latest surge of violence, which began one week ago. This wave of conflict has also seen the deployment of drones to drop explosives, a significant escalation as reported by officials.

Authorities believe that Kuki militants may have used the drones, a claim that Kuki groups have refuted.

"Fighting has been ongoing between armed groups from both communities since morning," stated Krishna Kumar, deputy commissioner of Jiribam district, where the clashes took place.

According to reports, the civilian victim was shot while sleeping. Kumar noted that the individual was attacked in his own room and added that security forces have been called in to stabilize the situation.

In response to the violence, Manipur has mandated the closure of all schools statewide on Saturday.

With a population of 3.2 million, Manipur has effectively been divided into two ethnic enclaves since the conflict began in May 2023: a valley region controlled by the Meiteis and the Kuki-dominated hills, with a stretch of no-man’s land monitored by federal paramilitary forces acting as a buffer between the two groups.

On September 1, two people were killed and several were injured in the Imphal West district. Additionally, a 78-year-old man lost his life, and six others were injured when militants launched a "long-range rocket" that struck the residence of a former chief minister in Bishnupur district.