The Office of the Chief Minister of the Indian state of Manipur has directed the state police department and other involved authorities to submit an ‘action taken’ report concerning the recent violence in the Jiribam district. The directive, which must be fulfilled by June 11, necessitates a detailed review of the origins of the violence and the steps so far undertaken to mitigate its impact. This region, which shares a border with Assam, has been tense since an armed mob set fire to several residential and office buildings in Jiribam on Saturday.
The immediate cause of the unrest appears to be the death of Soibam Saratkumar Singh, a 59-year-old man, believed to have been killed by militants last Thursday. This incident has amplified ethnic tensions that have been simmering since the conflict between the Kuki and Meitei communities over the Meitei’s inclusion in the list of Scheduled Tribes, which are entitled to affirmative action benefits. For more context on the source of these tensions, visit The Hindu.
The government responded to this surge in violence by enforcing Section 144 of the Criminal Code, which prohibits the assembly of more than four people, and by deploying additional police forces to maintain order. According to NDTV, similar measures had been previously planned, as letters from the Chief Minister’s office alerted state police about militants’ presence near Jiribam earlier this year. However, these warnings appear to have gone unheeded, leading to the current escalation.
Previously, ethnic violence in Manipur has led to significant casualties and property damage. Last year, the conflict resulted in the deaths of at least 77 members of the Kuki community and 10 from the Meitei community. During this period, the region saw extensive internet shutdowns and curfews. The situation continues to be volatile, with recent arrests aimed at curbing suspected conspiracies to exacerbate the violence. Detailed reporting on these ongoing issues can be found on Jurist.