An argument over a space in the Imphal market reignited tensions between the Meitei and the Kuki, which in recent weeks have caused dozens of deaths and serious damage to the local Christian community. Meanwhile, from New Delhi, the Supreme Court requested a report from the Manipur government, calling the local High Court’s direction to include the majority community among disadvantaged groups “absolutely wrong”, thus fueling land disputes.
Imphal () – Following new clashes that broke out on May 22, the Indian army and paramilitary forces redeployed in the Indian state of Manipur, and the suspension of Internet services with the purpose of maintaining public order.
The clashes, which took place in the New Checkon area of the capital Imphal, involved the Meitei and Kuki communities and were reportedly triggered by a dispute over space in a local market. Given the news of intentional fires in the area, the authorities decreed a curfew to contain the situation.
Ethnic clashes between the non-tribal Kuki and Meitei tribal communities had erupted on 3 May following a “tribal solidarity march” to protest against granting disadvantaged tribal status to the Meitei, the majority, predominantly Hindu group. . The violence affected 11 of the state’s 16 districts, causing 60 officially declared deaths, but with an unofficial death toll of 160, mostly tribal Christians. Nearly 50,000 people were displaced, and dozens of churches and other institutions were looted and burned.
The underlying tension that led to the clashes was fueled by the eviction of Kuki villagers from forest land, sparking a series of minor riots. The Meitei, who make up 64% of the state’s population, live in an area that is only 10% of the state’s territory, as non-tribals are prohibited from acquiring land in demarcated mountainous areas. The inclusion of the Meiteis in the category of disadvantaged groups – upheld by a ruling of the local High Court of Justice in March – would grant them the right to buy land in the hills, a prospect that greatly disturbed the tribal communities.
The Kukis say the Manipur government, led by the Hindu nationalists of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with local chief minister N. Biren Singh, systematically targets them, trying to drive them out of the forests and their ancestral lands. in the hills They claim that the government’s crackdown on drug trafficking is nothing more than a pretext to justify their eviction.
Meanwhile, from New Delhi, the High Court asked the Manipur government to submit a report on the situation in response to a petition filed by the Manipur Tribal Forum. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud called the Manipur High Court order that sparked sectarian violence “absolutely wrong.” However, he refused to stay the verdict because an appeal is already pending.
“The observation of the Supreme Court is undoubtedly a balm for wounds,” he told the news agency UcaNews The p. Varghese Velikakkam, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Imphal, who mobilized to assist the victims and work for peace between the communities. “The High Court order paved the way for violence and now the highest court in the land has ruled it illegal. This is reassuring amid so much tension and fear.”
