Imphal: In the northeastern state of Manipur, Indian police have arrested 33 individuals following a resurgence of ethnic violence that has prompted authorities to impose a curfew and an internet blackout. The arrests come amid escalating tensions and recent attacks that include the use of rockets and drone-dropped bombs.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the conflict, which reignited in Manipur in May 2023, involves clashes between the predominantly Hindu Meitei community and the mainly Christian Kuki group. This long-standing ethnic strife has resulted in the deaths of at least 200 people since its onset. The region, adjacent to war-torn Myanmar, has experienced a fragmentation of communities into rival factions, contributing to the complexity and intensity of the conflict.
The latest outbreak of violence marks an end to months of relative peace and has already resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people this month alone. Police describe the recent developments as a “significant escalation” in the conflict, highlighting the use of advanced weaponry such as rockets and bombs deployed via drones, which has raised concerns about the increasing militarization of the ethnic groups involved.
The situation remains tense in Manipur, with security forces on high alert and the government maintaining strict control measures, including the curfew and internet restrictions, in an effort to quell further violence and restore order in the troubled state.