Ethnic violence flares up again in Manipur, 5 killed in two separate incidents

New Delhi: Ethnic violence has flared up again in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur. At least five people were killed in two separate incidents in the state. Police confirmed the deaths on Sunday, stating that three people died in a crossfire, while the bodies of two others were recovered during a search operation.

According to police, the first incident occurred on Saturday in the state's Noney district, where a crossfire took place involving unidentified armed persons. Three individuals belonging to the Kuki tribal community were killed in the incident. In its statement, the police described those involved in the firing as unidentified armed militants.

In the second incident, the bodies of two individuals from the Kuki community were recovered on Sunday morning from Kangpokpi district. Both individuals had been missing since the beginning of this week. According to police, security personnel had launched an operation to search for them, after which their bodies were found.

A prominent organization of the Kuki tribal community has blamed Naga separatist groups for these deaths. The organization described the incidents as direct and unprovoked attacks in the ancestral homeland of the Kuki community. However, these allegations could not be independently verified.

These deaths have occurred at a time when large-scale protest demonstrations are ongoing in various parts of the state, including the capital Imphal. It is claimed that lakhs of people have participated in these protests. The protesters are demanding the termination of the ceasefire agreement between the Kuki armed groups and the Indian government.

There has been long-standing tension between the Kuki and Naga tribal communities in Manipur over claims to ancestral lands. The series of recent clashes between the two communities began in February this year when, allegedly, some members of the Kuki community attacked a Naga man.

Subsequently, in May, Naga armed groups were accused of killing three Kuki pastors, which led to a series of retaliatory abductions and killings on both sides. It is worth noting that Manipur is already affected by the ongoing bloody ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities. This conflict began in May 2023 over issues of economic concessions and reservations in government jobs. The recent Kuki-Naga clashes have further increased the existing tensions in the state.

More than 300 people have been killed in this conflict so far, while over 60,000 people have been displaced from their homes and are forced to live in temporary shelters. The recent incidents have once again raised questions about the law and order situation in the state.