Thousands still displaced as tense calm prevails after ethnic violence in Indian state

By Shuriah Niazi

NEW DELHI (AA) – Thousands of people continue to remain displaced as tense calm prevails in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur following deadly ethnic violence that left over 50 people dead last week.

The violence followed a Manipur High Court ruling on April 19 that directed the state government to submit recommendations for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category, which enraged the state's tribal population.

If a community is granted Scheduled Tribe status, it is entitled to political representation, reserved seats in schools, and government jobs.

Under existing laws, the Meitei community, which accounts for nearly 60% of the state's population, is not permitted to settle in hilly areas.

Hundreds of people took part in a May 3 march in Churachandpur to protest the non-tribal Meiteis' inclusion in Scheduled Tribe status, which would give them a number of privileges.

The march quickly turned violent and spread to other districts, prompting the state administration to call in the Indian Army to control the situation.

Houses, vehicles, churches, and properties were attacked and set ablaze by the mob. There is no clarity yet about how many people have died and the damage caused during the violence.

So far, 23,000 people have been rescued from the violence-hit areas and moved to military garrisons.

-'Situation improving'

State's Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday said that the situation in Manipur continues to improve.

“I have been constantly in touch with the home minister to monitor the situation” and ensure no further violence takes place in the state, Singh said on Twitter.

The chief minister last week also held an all-political party meeting to discuss the current situation in Manipur and to "collectively work towards bringing peace and stability to the state.”

An Indian military statement on Monday said over 100 columns of the army and Assam Rifles have been working tirelessly in order to significantly enhance the surveillance capability in the northeastern Indian state.

“Employment of aviation assets is being intensified. In particular, unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters have been pressed into action for surveillance not only in the hinterland but also along the Indo-Myanmar border,” said the statement.

-‘Tension prevails, people confused’

Keisham Meghachandra, a local legislator and president of the opposition Congress party in the state, told Anadolu the situation continues to remain tense in the state.

"The main roads and highway are now manned by security forces. But inside the villages, the situation continues to be tense. People are confused," he said.

He said that thousands of people are now living under the protection of forces.

"The state government has failed totally," said the leader, adding that the government should now undertake complete evacuation from all the violence-hit areas.

Meghachandra said that locals are facing a shortage of essential commodities, adding: "The prices of day-to-day items have skyrocketed. The government needs to act more to bring the situation under control."

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of India, hearing a plea seeking a special investigation team to probe the Manipur violence, on Monday asked the union and the state government to give details of relief camps.

"Our immediate target is protection, rescue, and rehabilitation of people," said the apex court.