Starting Monday, Indian Home Minister Amit Shah began his four-day visit to Manipur after a fresh bout of communal clashes on Sunday resulted in 40 deaths.
Following reports of the eviction of minority Kuki tribe members from a reserve forest land, violence erupted across Manipur, including in Sekmai, Phayeng, Torbung, Yaingangpokpi, Serou Lamkhai, and Sugnu.
Overview
According to a senior official from the Home Ministry, Shah will host a high-level meeting to restore normalcy in the state during his trip. He will further meet with leaders from the main communities and members of the civil society.
The official said, “Kukis are already in talks with the government for a peace deal. They have been demanding some autonomy in their areas which will be considered.”
Shah has previously called for a strict response to the unrest and vowed to restore peace.
Posters welcoming Union Home Minister Amit Shah seen in different parts of Manipur ahead of his arrival later today in Imphal pic.twitter.com/CRhINpoDl1
— ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2023
As the news of Shah’s visit spread, several posters appeared across the capital city of Imphal, calling on the central government to intervene and contain the unrest. Previously, tribal groups have called on the government to impose President’s rule, blaming Chief Minister N. Biren Singh for the violence.
This is Shah’s first visit to the state since ethnic violence broke out on 3 May between the Hindu Meitei community and the minority Christian Kuki group.
Clashes first erupted in early May after a court order directing the state government to consider the non-tribal Meiteis community’s demand for a Schedule Tribe status.
The Meitei community comprises 53% of the state’s population, primarily concentrated in the Manipur valley. They approached the court, claiming that their community faces a threat due to “large-scale illegal immigration by Myanmarese and Bangladeshis.”
However, opponents argue that granting the Scheduled Tribe status to Meitei will enable them to get most of the reservations. As a result, it will deprive the tribal community of access to government jobs and educational institutions.
In total, the clashes have caused 75 deaths.
After three weeks of violence and ethnic killings, Modi’s home minister visits Manipur today. Situation in Manipur is extremely tense and thousands of tribals are fleeing from their villages. pic.twitter.com/gjDfpGfhlX
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) May 29, 2023
40 “Terrorists” Killed on Sunday
According to CM Biren Singh, security forces killed 40 armed “terrorists,” who attacked civilians and set houses ablaze. Security forces launched the operation to curb unrest.
Al Jazeera quoted Singh saying the terrorists had M-16 and AK-47 assault rifles and sniper guns and used them against civilians.
According to the Hindustan Times, nearly 1,000 arms and ammunition were looted from the armouries of Manipur Rifles and India Reserve Battalion by a mob.