Curfew imposed in Manipur once again after violence returned; Army Deployed in Key Areas

• Image Credit: Internet

• May 25, 2023 | Kabir Chakraborty

The violence in Manipur was preceded by a series of smaller agitations over the displacement of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land.

Digital Desk: As further episodes of violence were reported, a curfew was
enforced in many areas of Manipur. The curfew was imposed in the districts of
Bishnupur, Imphal East, Imphal West, and Jiribam. Notably, the Northeastern
state of Manipur has been suffering ethnic confrontations for several weeks
now, with over 70 people killed in the state since May 3. To bring the
situation under control, the state required the deployment of 10,000 army and
paramilitary soldiers.

Kuldeep Singh,
Manipur's Security Advisor, stated that the Central troops, comprising the Army
and Assam Rifle, have been directed to seize the vulnerable peripheral area of
Bishnupur district, including the hills.

A group of
individuals vandalised the house of Manipur PWD Minister Konthoujam Govindas in
Bishnupur district on Wednesday, claiming that the administration in the
strife-torn state is not doing enough to safeguard citizens from terrorists
from another community.

The
minister, a BJP official, and his family members were not present when the mob,
primarily women, invaded the house in Ningthoukhong and damaged a portion of a
gate, windows, a few pieces of furniture, and electrical devices.

Significantly, this is
the first time a minister's home has been targeted amid the state's ongoing
ethnic conflict between Meitei and Kuki community members, which began three
weeks ago and has taken more than 70 lives. To maintain control of the
situation in the state, the army and paramilitary troops have been deployed.

Clashes erupted in
Manipur on May 3 following a 'Tribal Solidarity March' in the hill districts to
oppose the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

color:#09090A">The violence in Manipur was preceded by a series of smaller
agitations over the displacement of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land.

color:#09090A"> 

Meiteis
make up around 53% of Manipur's population and dwell primarily in the Imphal
Valley. Tribals - Nagas and Kukis - make about 40% of the population and live
in the hill districts.