After six bodies were found over the weekend, protesters stormed the homes of local BJP legislators. The central government has decided to send thousands of special forces, while the Minister of the Interior tries to resolve the situation peacefully. The archbishop emeritus of Imphal: “The government is just observing.”
Imphal () – The state of Manipur is on high alert after authorities recovered the bodies of three women and three children belonging to the Meitei community over the weekend. Members of the group immediately accused the Kuki minority of kidnapping and murder, reigniting violence. The clashes between both ethnic groups began in May 2023 and repeat cyclically. According to official figures, more than 200 people have died so far and some 60,000 have been displaced, but more killings have occurred in recent weeks, especially in the Jiribam district. At least 20 people are estimated to have died in clashes over the past month. To terrorize members of the rival group, kidnappings also frequently occur.
After the bodies were found, on Saturday, November 16, protesters looted and burned the homes and offices of several legislators, most of them members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Hindu ultranationalist party in power in the central government and also in Manipur. Police detained 23 people and authorities imposed an indefinite curfew and suspended connections in several districts, including the capital Imphal.
Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, who had already tried to start talks to resolve the situation in recent months, chaired a security meeting yesterday, but tensions continue to rise. At least one person has died this morning in new clashes between civilians and armed forces. According to local media, the minister will hold more meetings today in an attempt to contain the unrest.
The central government has also reintroduced a law to deploy special forces in five districts, including Jiribam. These areas, which, according to some testimonieshave already been largely emptied of residents, will remain classified as “disturbed” until March 31 next year, Delhi has announced. Another 5,000 members of the Central Armed Police will be deployed today.
Bishop Dominic Lumon, archbishop emeritus of Imphal, asked by , declared: “Shootings and kidnappings continue in the suburbs. In some isolated places there are crimes, demonstrations and even murders by a group. The government does nothing and just watches, thinking that the situation will calm down on its own. But meanwhile the kidnappings and murders continue. Referring to the Law on Special Powers of the Armed Forces, the prelate commented: «We believe that it should be eliminated completely. Grants unquestionable powers to the army. “The security forces can take the law into their own hands and use their powers indiscriminately.”
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi also expressed deep concern over the “recent spate of violence and continued bloodshed” in Manipur in the last few days and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the state.
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