Members of the Kuki tribe protesting against the killing of tribals in their northeastern home state of Manipur, hold Indian flags and placards during a sit in protest in New Delhi, India, Monday, May 29, 2023. Manipur, which borders Myanmar, has been roiled by violence since 3 May after members of tribal groups clashed with a non-tribal group over demands of economic benefits and reservation status. More shootings and arson were reported Monday from the northeastern state, where dozens have been killed and more than 35,000 displaced following the worst ethnic clashes seen in decades. (- AP
YANGON/MANIPUR, May 29 (Bloomberg): Indian police forces killed at least 30 people from tribal groups identified as militants, part of an ongoing security operation in a northeastern state bordering Myanmar that’s seen unrest over the access to affirmative action benefits.
The government will not allow the disintegration of Manipur state by "armed terrorists,” Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said in a statement Sunday. Security operations were still ongoing after recent clashes which saw some feuding groups attack some homes.
While Singh didn’t specify the identity of the so-called militants that the police have been clashing with, local news outlets identified them as Kuki, a tribal group found in Myanmar, Bangladesh and India.
Violence first erupted early May between the mostly-Christian tribal groups and the majority Meitei Hindu residents over a demand that Meiteis be granted access to jobs and university places set aside for tribal communities.
Since then, there have been reports of widespread arson and clashes between the two groups. At least 37 people were killed and scores of homes, places of worship and vehicles were attacked and set on fire.
Home Minister Amit Shah will visit the violence-hit state later Monday to review security arrangements. Over the weekend, Army Chief General Manoj Pande traveled to the region where thousands of soldiers were deployed to quell the ethnic violence.
About 35,000 people have been evacuated to safety by the military since the start of the carnage, the army said.
India’s northeastern states lag behind most of the country in terms of development and government jobs are the main source of employment.
The anger highlights the challenges for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration to generate more employment, especially as he seeks a third term in office in national elections due next year. - Bloomberg
