Amit Shah to Visit Manipur: Fresh violence erupts 

New Delhi: Home Minister Amit Shah will visit the riot-hit Manipur from May 29 to June 1. Shah is expected to meet the victims of the violence-affected areas. In a press conference, Nityanand Rai, the Union Minister of State for Home said that Mr. Shah will visit Manipur on May 29 to calm down the crisis in the state.  

According to sources, Home Minister will meet the organizations representing the Meitei and Kuki communities. Mr. Shah is also expected to hold security meetings to understand the situation and take necessary steps to restore peace in the state.  

Mr. Shah, while addressing a program in Assam recently said that very soon, he would visit Manipur. Home Minister’s visit is looked upon by the people as a major hope to solve the ongoing crisis in the state.   

Meanwhile, the head of the Army, General Manoj Pande, visited Manipur on Saturday to assess the state’s law-and-order situation.  

Fresh violence 

Hours ahead of Home Minister’s visit, fresh violence erupted in Manipur. At least five people were killed and 12 civilians were injured. Numerous homes in the Serou and Sugunu areas were reportedly set on fire by armed suspects.    

In Imphal West, vandals broke into the home of BJP MLA Khwairakpam Raghumani Singh and set fire to two of his vehicles.  

CM Biren Singh’s statement

Biren Singh, the Chief Minister of Manipur on Sunday said that 40 militants with arms were killed by the security forces, as they began an operation to establish peace in the state. 

The CM said that the militants burned down the houses of Civilians and were on a spree of killing. He also claimed that the militants were carrying M-16, AK-47s, and sniper rifles. In a counter-attack, the security forces killed the militant causing violence.

Singh further said that the areas vulnerable to violence have been identified and state police are being deployed to conduct operations. The CM added that Manipur has experienced hardship for a very long time and the government will not allow it to disintegrate the state. 

The CM also appealed to the public of Manipur to have faith in the government and show their support to the security forces and cooperate in the movement.   

Curfew

The growing violence in the last ten hours has led the government to shorten the curfew relaxation period in Manipur. The authorities have curved down the 11-hour curfew period to six-and-half hours. 

The authorities have also extended the ban on internet services in the state till May 31. This step is taken to avoid hate speech, fake news, and public gatherings which can lead to riots in the already violence-hit state.  

Ethnic clash

Manipur, the northeastern state known for its rich cultural diversity, has been marred by violent clashes stemming from ethnic tensions. The flashpoint occurred after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organized by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3. 

The march aimed to protest against the demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status by the Meitei community. This move has intensified the long-standing mutual suspicion between different ethnic groups in the region. 

The demand for ST status by the Meitei community, which constitutes a significant portion of the state’s population and primarily resides in the Imphal Valley, has been a contentious issue for over a decade.

However, the Manipur High Court’s directive to the state administration to suggest the Meitei community’s inclusion in the ST category to the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry by May 29 served as the immediate impetus for the current violence. The Meitei community argued that before Manipur joined the Indian Union, the community had this status, and they are working to restore it.

The clashes have claimed the lives of at least 80 people, with scores more injured. Thousands of individuals have been displaced from their homes, seeking refuge in safer areas.

The violence has prompted the central government to swiftly deploy large numbers of Army, Assam Rifles, and central police forces to contain the situation.

Ethnic violence in Manipur has deep-seated roots in historical grievances and the perceived marginalization of different communities. Adding to the situation’s complexity is the issue of demographic changes and the influx of outsiders from neighboring countries such as Myanmar, Nepal, and Bangladesh. The continuous arrival of people from different backgrounds has significantly impacted Manipur’s identity, culture, economy, administration, and environment.

The Manipur government’s recent efforts to evict tribal villagers from reserved forests further exacerbated the simmering conflict. Tribal communities residing in the hills have interpreted these actions as an attack on their way of life and have rallied together to express their dissent, culminating in the Tribal Solidarity March.

The outbreak of violence has highlighted the urgent need for dialogue, understanding, and a holistic approach to address the underlying tensions between different ethnic groups in Manipur.

As the authorities continue to grapple with the situation, the state and central governments must collaborate to restore calm and initiate constructive dialogue between the concerned parties. The road to lasting peace and reconciliation in Manipur will require concerted efforts, empathy, and a commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of all its inhabitants.