Deutsche Welle :
More than a year after deadly ethnic violence broke out between the majority Meitei community and the minority Kuki in India’s northeastern state of Manipur, tensions continue to rage.
Peace has remained elusive and — according to many in the state — so has a concrete action from the government.
The latest flare-up of violence occurred on September 1, after months of relative calm. According to authorities, several people have been killed in drone and rocket attacks.
The use of such aerial weapons is a first for the restive state and the government called it a “significant escalation” of violence.
The police in Manipur claim that Kuki groups carried out the drone attacks on Meitei-dominated areas. Kuki organizations, however, refute the allegations, saying that it was the Meiteis who used drones.
Last year was the first time that the Meitei, who are predominantly Hindu, live mostly in and around the state’s capital city Imphal, and the Kuki — who are mainly Christian and inhabit the surrounding hills — clashed against each other.
It came on the heels of a demand by the Meitei community to be officially accorded tribal status, which the Kukis protested.
The conflict has since claimed the lives of 225 people, according to official data. More than 60,000 people remain displaced.
Congress criticizes Modi’s silence on Manipur violence amid ongoing crisisCongress criticizes Modi’s silence on Manipur violence amid ongoing crisis
State inaction?
Activists have questioned the response of the authorities to quell the violence. Many have pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is yet to visit the state or make a comprehensive statement.
“There is a total abdication of the responsibility to protect the lives and the properties of the people in Manipur and that’s why the anger of Manipuris is going very deep,” a Manipuri activist, who asked not to be named, told DW.
Binalakshmi Nepram, a prominent human rights advocate focusing particularly on gender rights and female-led disarmament movements, calls it the “darkest period” in the history of Manipur. She says it is the prerogative of the state to ensure the security of the citizens.
“We have about 60,000-70,000 troops of the Indian security forces flown in just to ensure that the conflict is calmed down. The tragic part is that they have done nothing,” she told DW.
“People of Manipur are absolutely flabbergasted. How come India, with its sophisticated weaponry, intelligence and technology, is not able to control the situation in a tiny part of the country? It has been going on for 16 months. This is what every Manipuri is asking,” she added.
What’s behind the ethnic tensions?
Tellang Letminlen Haokip, a Kuki student leader from Churachandpur, said his community has been discriminated against for decades and that the ethnic tensions run deep.
“We have been economically and politically exploited. There is a huge mistrust between those living in the hills and those in the valley. There is hardly any development work in the hills. All good infrastructure is in the valley and we are denied sources of development and opportunities,” he said.