MUMBAI: Fresh clashes in India’s strife-addled northeastern Indian state of Manipur killed at least five people on Saturday, a local government official said, hours after a rocket bombardment prompted authorities to close schools.
The violence has intensified in recent days, exacerbating an already volatile situation that has plagued Manipur state for more than a year. The state has been rocked by violence between the mostly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community.
According to a local government official, fighting between the Meitei community and the Kuki community broke out in the Jiribam district, located on the border with war-torn Myanmar.
“From morning, there has been fighting between the two communities in Jiribam. We have recovered five bodies and we are awaiting further details,” the official.
According to media reports, the casualties include one person who was shot while sleeping and four others who were killed in a subsequent exchange of gunfire between armed people. This latest violence adds to a grim tally of casualties that includes two people killed in separate attacks over the past week.
The surge in violence follows a rocket bombardment the previous day that prompted authorities to shut down schools across the state. The rocket attack killed a 78-year-old man and injured six others. The attack was reportedly targeting the residence of the late Mairenbam Koireng Singh, a former chief minister of Manipur.
A local government notice announced the closure of all schools on Saturday to ensure the safety of students and teachers. The police reported that officers responding to the rocket attack came under fire from the suspected Kuki community.
Local media outlets have reported that the rockets used in the attack appeared to be “improvised projectiles,” constructed from galvanized iron pipes and explosives. This incident follows a recent escalation in violence where insurgents employed drones to drop explosives, killing a 31-year-old woman and wounding six others.
The ongoing conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities has been fueled by long-standing tensions over land and employment opportunities. Rights activists have criticized local leaders for exacerbating ethnic divisions for political gain, contributing to the volatile atmosphere.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP government has faced criticism for its handling of the situation. The BJP government has been accused that it has failed to effectively control the violence for political benefits.
Longstanding tensions between the Kuki and Meitei communities revolve around competition for public jobs and land, with rights activists blaming local leaders for worsening ethnic divisions for political benefits.
