NEW DELHI: The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum in Manipur, on Saturday, demanded a separate administration and execution of the President’s rule in the violence-hit region. It made the demand in a letter to the opposition alliance INDIA. It sought support for its demand from the opposition, western media reported.
India: Tribals Demand Separate Administration in Violence-hit Manipur
The move comes on a day when a group of the opposition visited the region and also met Kuki leaders and members of the civil society besides ethnic trouble victims in the camps.
The state has been witnessing ethnic clashes since May 3 between the majority Meiteis and tribals. As per media reports, more than 150 people have been killed and many become homeless due to ethnic violence in the region.
Earlier, the media reported that armed clashes between ethnic groups in Manipur state have escalated into a violent and deadly crisis, with vigilante gunmen forming militias to defend their areas. The predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and mainly Christian Kuki community have been engaged in armed confrontations for the past three months.
The conflict is rooted in a complex mix of factors, including land and job competition, which has deepened ethnic divisions and led to a cycle of revenge attacks. Local leaders have been accused of exacerbating tensions for political gain, although they deny such claims. The situation has deteriorated into a civil war-like scenario, with homes, churches, and temples being targeted in attacks.
Militia forces have emerged on both sides, with armed individuals equipped with an array of sophisticated weapons. These groups insist that they are not ready to lay down their arms anytime soon. The Kuki community, comprising around 16 percent of Manipur’s population, has demanded a separate state administration, a demand rejected by the Meitei, who form over half of the population.
The NGO Human Rights Watch accuse state authorities, led by Interior Minister Amith Shah’s Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), of having rolled out “divisive policies that promote Hindu majority”.
The situation has raised concerns about the state’s authority and the need for a non-partisan approach to tackle the crisis. The government’s ability to address the grievances and bring about peace remains uncertain, as both sides continue to be distrustful and prepared for a prolonged fight to defend their territories.
