Top sources in the security establishment said Union home minister Amit Shah began a four-day visit as the nearly month-long ethnic conflict in Manipur has polarised the majority Meitei and the tribal Kuki communities to the point that they appear irreconcilable. This polarisation has been accentuated by a recent outbreak of violence that could worsen unless the Centre acts swiftly and decisively to end it.
The two groups had previously engaged in territorial and identity-related conflicts, but the violence since May 3 has been the deadliest in their turbulent history, leaving over 100 people dead and several others injured.
“The situation outwardly looks like it is being brought under control, but inside it is extremely volatile. The breakdown of trust between the Meitei community of the valley and the Kuki tribe that inhabits the hills is total,” a senior security official said.
“Relocation is happening in hordes - most Kukis have fled to areas where they are in a majority while Meitei people have returned from Kuki areas like Churachandpur to the Imphal valley,” the official said.
40 suspected Kuki militants killed
At least 40 armed terrorists suspected to be from Kuki militant groups have been killed in a massive crackdown by state police and security forces, chief minister N Biren Singh said in Imphal. According to state government officials, operations against the armed militants are still ongoing, and the casualty figures could increase. Fresh violence broke out with reports of firing and arson. At least 10 more people killed in fresh violence at several places since Saturday night, officials stated.
A group of 10 Kuki-Zomi MLAs of the BJP-led coalition, two of them ministers, has already petitioned Shah for a separate administration for areas inhabited by the tribe. The Kukis accuse police of cooperating with those who attacked them, and they blame the state administration and chief minister N Biren Singh for the continued bloodshed.
“This instability will remain unless the Centre takes some concrete steps. We are trying to contain unrest with the maximum possible effort, but we possibly cannot deploy soldiers at every location. Army commanders are visiting villages and talking to civil society organisations of both communities, although there is no meeting ground at this moment,” another top source in the security set-up said.