Ethnoreligious conflict between the Kuki tribal group from the nearby hills and the Meitei people, the bulk of whom reside in the Imphal Valley, broke out on May 3, 2023, in the north-eastern Indian state of Manipur. [28] As of July 29, 181 individuals had died as a result of the violence as of July 29.More than 300 people were hurt, and 54,488 people were evacuated. [34] [24].
The Manipur High Court ordered the state government to make a recommendation to the federal government on April 14, 2023, in response to a writ petition filed by the Meitei Tribe Union that seeks Scheduled Tribe status for the Meitei community, which is based in a valley. This decision was subsequently criticized by the Supreme Court of India. [36] The All Tribal Students' Union of Manipur requested that a peaceful protest be held on May 3rd in response to the High Court judgment.
Following one of these rallies, home burning was followed by fights between Kuki and Meitei tribes close to the border between Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts. [37] [38] For instance, it has been claimed that the Kuki people, who predominately live in the hilly areas surrounding the capital valley, are the target of the state government's treatment of indigenous land rights issues. [39] The Kuki are predominantly Christian. As a result of attempts to survey forests, which were purportedly intended to stop the production of poppies, there have been evictions in Kuki settlements. [40] [41] [42]
The influx of refugees after the military coup in nearby Myanmar in 2021 has also led to an increase in insecurity among the Meitei Indigenous people, notably those from the Sagaing region. In the ongoing conflict, numerous ethnic communities' identities have been weaponized. [43][41]
Numerous organizations claim that there have been reports of partisan killings by security personnel, as well as claims that the police have sided with the Meitei people. [44] [45] The violence will be investigated by a commission headed by a retired Chief Justice, and a peace committee will be formed under the direction of the Governor and security advisor Kuldeep Singh, as well as members of civil society. Six instances, including a conspiracy in the violence, will be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), ensuring a fair investigation to identify the underlying factors. [46]
Military transfers and deployments
Eight districts, including Imphal West, Kakching, Thoubal, Jiribam, and Bishnupur, which are predominately non-tribal, and Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Tengnoupal, which are predominately tribal, all have curfews in place. [72]
On May 4, the Manipuri administration issued a shoot at sight directive. [66] The Assam Rifles and the Indian Army had deployed 55 columns in the area by the end of the third day of May, and by the end of the fourth, more than 9,000 people had been moved to safer areas. About 20,000 individuals had been evacuated to safe areas under military control by May 5 and 23,000 by May 6. [28] [75] Five units of the Rapid Action Force were airlifted to the area by the national government. [32] In Manipur, there were around 10,000 soldiers, paramilitaries, and Central Armed Police Forces stationed. [76] [77] 126 army columns and 62 paramilitary company units made up Manipur's entire military buildup as of May 14. [78].
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