High security in Manipur

Making a stand: A protester from a tribal community holding a placard during a demonstration in New Delhi to mark a year of the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur. — AFP

Security forces were on heightened alert in India’s troubled northeastern state of Manipur, the first anniversary of the start of clashes between the majority Meitei community and tribal Kukis that have killed at least 220 people.

The remote state bordering Myanmar has been hit by violence since May 3 last year after a court ordered the state government to consider extending special economic benefits and quotas in government jobs and education enjoyed by the Kukis to the majority Meiteis as well.