The Situation in Manipur: A Crisis in the Making
The Situation in Manipur: A Crisis in the Making The northeastern Indian state of Manipur has been rocked by violence in recent months, with over 100 deaths with over 400 wounded and the burning of at least 1,700 buildings. The violence has been sparked by inter-ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities, two of the largest ethnic groups in the state. Nearly 60,000 people have been displaced and taken shelter in some 350 camps. Some 40,000 security forces- army soldiers, paramilitaries, police-are struggling to quell the violence. Only a quarter of the more than 40,000 weapons looted by mobs from police armouries have been voluntarily returned since the violence began. More than 200 churches and 17 temples have been destroyed or damaged by mobs. Homes of local ministers and legislators have been attacked and set on fire.Normal life has been strangled: a night curfew continues in most of the 16 districts; schools are shut and internet services have been suspended. A main hig