Manipur ethnic violence persists, Priyanka blames Modi for inaction

Ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur continues to escalate. Although curfews have been enforced in at least five districts, including Imphal West and Bishnupur, due to a "critical law and order situation," authorities have struggled to bring the unrest under control.

To control the situation, the state government has also shut down internet and mobile data services.

Meanwhile, Priyanka Gandhi, General Secretary of the Indian National Congress, has blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for the ongoing violence. She criticized Modi for not visiting Manipur in the past two years and for neglecting the state.

The conflict, which began on May 3, 2023, intensified under the rule of the BJP-led NDA alliance, which won the 2022 Manipur state assembly election. As the situation worsened, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned on February 13 this year. Afterwards, the central government imposed President’s Rule in the state.

The longstanding tension between the majority Hindu Meitei community and the mostly Christian Kuki community continues to grow. Disputes over land ownership and reservation in government jobs have led to violent clashes, resulting in over 250 deaths. At least 60,000 people have been displaced and are living in relief camps.

Protests have been ongoing since Saturday evening (June 7) after five members of the radical Meitei group 'Arambai Tenggol', including a top commander, were arrested. Protesters attacked a police post and set a bus on fire. Roads in Imphal have been blocked by Arambai Tenggol supporters.

The group, accused of persecuting the Kuki community, has also called a ten-day shutdown (bandh) in the valley areas.

The new wave of violence has spread fear across the state. Many of the displaced people are unable to return to their homes, and more people are expected to flee to relief camps.

The state’s Home Department has announced that internet and mobile data services will remain shut for the next five days to prevent rumors and further violence.

Manipur police have urged citizens to follow the curfew orders and other restrictions imposed by the district magistrates.

Human rights groups claim that local politicians are fueling ethnic divisions for their own interests, which is preventing the violence from ending.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said, "Manipur has been burning for two years" and directly blamed Prime Minister Modi. In a post on X, she wrote, "The Prime Minister has not visited Manipur or met any representatives from the state. He has made no appeal for peace or specific efforts to resolve the crisis. Why has peace not returned to Manipur despite so much central intervention? Is Modi ji deliberately ignoring the state?"