At least 9 killed in ethnic clashes in India's northeast, where 100 have died in month of violence

GUWAHATI, India
June 14, 2023, 03:52 PM
by AP/UNB

UNB News
GUWAHATI, India
Publish- June 14, 2023, 03:52 PM
AP/UNB

At least 9 killed in ethnic clashes in India's northeast, where 100 have died in month of violence

A member of the Kuki tribe cries during a sit in protest against the killing of tribals in their northeastern home state of Manipur, in New Delhi, India, May 29, 2023. Fresh violence erupted in India’s remote northeast with rival ethnic groups firing at each other, leaving at least nine dead and some injured, officials said on Wednesday. Security forces rushed to Khamenlok village in Manipur state’s Kangpokpi district after clashes broke out on Tuesday night between Kuki and Meitei communities. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup, File)

Rival ethnic groups fired at each other in fresh violence in India's remote northeast that left at least nine people dead and some injured, officials said Wednesday.

Security forces rushed to Khamenlok village in Manipur state's Kangpokpi district after clashes broke out Tuesday night between the Kuki and Meitei communities, said L. Sushindro, a state government minister.

Also Read: India, Pakistan deploy rescuers and plan evacuations ahead of severe cyclone

Police found nine bodies early Wednesday, a police officer said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to talk to reporters.

Three people have been reported missing, the officer said.

At least 100 people have been killed in severe ethnic clashes in Manipur state since May 3, and thousands of homes have been burned and shops and businesses vandalized.

Also Read: India, Pakistan brace for severe cyclone, deploy rescuers to coastal regions

Authorities have moved nearly 40,000 people from troubled areas to safer places.

India's Home Minister Amit Shah visited the state early this month and met community leaders to restore peace.

The violence started last month after protests by more than 50,000 Kukis and members of other predominantly Christian tribal communities in Churachandpur and adjoining districts in Manipur state.

Also Read: FM visiting India to attend G20 development ministers' meeting

They oppose the majority Meitei Hindu community's demand for a special status that would give them benefits including the right to farm on forest land, cheap bank loans, and health and educational facilities, as well as a specified quota of government jobs.

Minority hill community leaders say the Meitei community is comparatively well-off and that granting them more privileges would be unfair.

The Meiteis say employment quotas and other benefits for tribespeople would be protected.

Two-thirds of the state's 2.5 million people live in a valley that comprises roughly 10% of the state's total area. The Meiteis are Hindus while rival groups, including the Kuki and other tribes, are mostly Christian and mainly live in the surrounding hill districts. Ethnic Muslims constitute about 8% of the state population.