Following the discovery of six Meitei community members’ bodies, including women and children, Manipur’s government increased security. According to Meitei groups, the victims were kidnapped and killed by Kuki armed gangs. Police have yet to confirm the allegations; this tragedy led to a surge of new violent demonstrations throughout the northeastern state. The ongoing Manipur ethnic conflict has claimed 200 lives.
Since the violence broke out in May 2023, the Meiteis and Kukis war has caused the displacement of many people. Authorities in the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley implemented a curfew and internet service restrictions in response to the rising tensions. At least a dozen MPs from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had their house and office looted and set on fire by the protestors.
So far, security forces made 23 arrests concerning the disturbance. Tensions escalated on November 7th when an accused armed group raped and burned a Kuki woman in the Jiribam district. A police station and a Meitei refugee relief camp were the targets of an attack four days later. Meitei officials linked this incident to the Kuki gang. In retaliation, a police station and Meitei refugee relief camp were attacked. But the Kuki group later denied the allegations.
After this episode, concerns focused on the six missing members of a Meitei family, including a grandmother and her grandkids. Six unidentified bodies were found on Friday, leading to the violent protest and speculations. Protestors are urging the authorities to end the violence of these armed organizations. In response, Home Minister Amit Shah called a high-level conference and sent senior security personnel to Manipur on behalf of the federal government. The Manipur ethnic conflict has left the state bitterly divided, with Meiteis in the Imphal Valley and Kukis living in the surrounding hill areas. Buffer zones further separate these two areas.
