Manipur: Curfew reimposed, Army called in again after fresh violence
What's the story
Indian Army and paramilitary personnel were dispatched to Manipur after fresh clashes were reported in the capital Imphal on Monday afternoon following days of peace, NDTV reported. Reportedly, violence broke out in the Checkon neighborhood after members of the Meitei and Kuki communities clashed over space in a local market. The curfew was also reimposed after 1:00pm amid reports of arson in the area.
Details
Fresh clashes reported in Imphal market
According to ANI, fresh violence occurred in Manipur on Monday when miscreants torched abandoned buildings in Imphal. A curfew was implemented in the New Lambulane area soon after the incident. The Indian Army and paramilitary personnel were also dispatched to the northeastern state to help contain the situation. The conflict reportedly arose over space in a local market between the two communities.
Twitter Post
Watch: Firemen douse fire at houses set ablaze by miscreants
#WATCH | Abandoned houses set ablaze by miscreants in New Lambulane area in Imphal in Manipur. Security personnel on the spot. pic.twitter.com/zENI5nuMyM
— ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2023
Information
Kuki students' organization alleges torching of church by Meitei mob
Meanwhile, the Delhi unit of the Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) claimed that a church was allegedly targeted and burned down by the Meitei mob. According to the organization, the church that was set ablaze by the mob is the ICI Church on Imphal's Chassad Avenue.
Twitter Post
Warning: Graphic video of arson in Imphal
Another Church Targeted and Burnt Down by Meitei Mobs.
— KSO Delhi & NCR (@KSODelhi) May 22, 2023
Devastating scenes of ICI Church at Chassad Avenue, Imphal engulfed in flames, a testament to the utter incompetence of our state administration. The people entrusted to protect us have failed miserably, leaving us to face… pic.twitter.com/agI3P4Hnp3
Background
Know about Manipur issue
Violent clashes broke out in Manipur on May 3, when the tribal community marched against the non-tribal Meiteis' demand for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. This was followed by more than a week of violent skirmishes across the state, in which over 70 people died. Several thousand people were also displaced as a result, following which the Army brought the situation under control.