Indias Ethnic Conflict Enters Third Year in Manipur Region

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A blast on April 7 killed two children, a five-year-old boy and an infant girl, at their home in Manipur state, India. The mother, a nurse, was also wounded during the incident. The father, a paramilitary soldier with the Border Security Force, was not present as he was on duty hundreds of kilometers away.

The last rites for the two children were held on Saturday, nearly a month after the blast. The family’s grief was evident as dozens of people gathered to pay their respects. The incident is part of a long-standing ethnic conflict in Manipur between the Meitei community and the Kuki-Zo minority.

The conflict has claimed over 250 lives and displaced tens of thousands of people since May 2023. The Meiteis have historically dominated the plains and valley, while the Kuki-Zo and Naga tribes have been mostly confined to the hills. In April 2023, a High Court recommendation to extend “scheduled tribes” status to the Meiteis sparked tensions between the two groups.

The conflict has evolved into a more complex, multi-actor situation. The identity of those responsible for the blast remains unclear. Protests and violence have been reported in various parts of the state. In one incident, hundreds of protesters stormed a Central Reserve Police Force camp, leading to a confrontation that resulted in the deaths of three people.

The National Investigation Agency has taken charge of investigating the incident. The agency’s findings are still pending.

Source: Al Jazeera