Parts of Manipur Shut Down After 10 Killed by Security Forces

Photo : AP

Parts of Manipur state in northeast India were shut down on Tuesday following the killings of 10 people by security forces during ongoing unrest. Ethnic organizations in the violence-affected region called for an 11-hour shutdown in the hill districts of the state. The shutdown began at 5 a.m. local time, with schools, businesses, and transportation brought to a halt. People stayed indoors, and no vehicles were seen on the streets.

The shutdown was a response to the deaths of 10 individuals who were reportedly shot by paramilitary soldiers in a confrontation on Monday. According to the Manipur state police, the victims were “armed militants” who had attacked a security post near the district town of Jiribam. The soldiers retaliated by opening fire on the attackers, and one soldier was injured in the incident. The police stated that the attackers were armed and that the soldiers engaged in a heavy exchange of gunfire that lasted for around 45 minutes. Following the clash, the police recovered 10 bodies along with sophisticated automatic weapons from the scene.

However, local tribal leaders disputed the police’s version of events. The Tribal Leaders' Forum claimed that the 10 individuals who were killed were not militants, but rather local village volunteers belonging to the Hmar ethnic group. These volunteers had been patrolling the area in an effort to protect tribal villages from further attacks, following a recent incident in which a woman was killed. The leaders asserted that the victims were not armed militants as claimed by the police.

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The violent incident occurred against the backdrop of ongoing ethnic violence in the state that has been simmering since May of the previous year. The violence, which has resulted in around 250 deaths and the displacement of over 60,000 people, primarily involves clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo ethnic groups. The Meitei, who are predominantly Hindu, reside in the Imphal Valley and surrounding areas, while the Kuki-Zo people are mainly found in the hilly districts.

The root of the conflict lies in political and social tensions between the two groups. The Meitei have long been seeking to be included in India’s Scheduled Tribe category, which would grant them benefits such as quotas in government jobs and educational institutions, as well as restrictions on non-Meitei individuals purchasing land in the Imphal Valley. The Kuki-Zo groups oppose this move, arguing that the Meitei are economically and socially developed and do not require the special benefits given to Scheduled Tribes, which are intended for economically disadvantaged and less-developed groups.

The killings of the 10 people have further inflamed tensions in Manipur, where ethnic violence has already severely affected the social fabric. The situation remains volatile, and the shutdown in the hill districts is a part of a broader effort by ethnic groups to protest the continued violence and to call attention to their demands regarding ethnic rights and protections.

In the aftermath of the incident, security forces have intensified their presence in the region, but tensions continue to run high, with both ethnic communities accusing each other of inciting violence. As the situation develops, the central government and local authorities have been urged to take steps to address the underlying issues driving the unrest and to work towards a peaceful resolution.

The unrest in Manipur serves as a stark reminder of the deep ethnic divisions that persist in parts of India, where political and cultural demands often lead to violence and the loss of life. As the region seeks stability, the call for dialogue between the conflicting communities and government authorities has never been more urgent.

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