The archbishop of Manipur warns violence is escalating, urges prayers for peace
Eleven more ethnic Kukis were killed in Jiribam district. Police describe them as “militants", a claim challenged by the Forum of Tribal Leaders who view the incident as a deliberate attack against volunteers patrolling their village after it was involved in an attack last week. Archbishop Neli calls for prayers, that life might get back to normal.
Imphal (AsiaNews) – Violence is escalating in the north-eastern Indian state of Manipur. For over a year and a half, majority Meitei, a predominantly Hindu group living in the Imphal Valley, have been pitted against the mostly Christian Kuki who live in the hills.
As the situation gets worse, “we're praying for normal and peaceful life,” said Archbishop Linus Neli of Imphal speaking to AsiaNews.
The latest serious incident occurred on Monday, when at least 11 Kukis were shot dead in Jiribam district.
The local police claim they were attacking the head of the Central Reserve Police Force, who reacted by killing the "militants” who had several weapons in their possession.
However, Kuki have strongly rejected this version of events, blocking the hilly areas in protest, while the authorities imposed a curfew.
According to the Forum of Indigenous Tribal Leaders, those killed were local volunteers from the village of Hmar on a patrol to protect their community after a recent attack in which a tribal woman was killed.
The Hmar Student Association condemned the incident, calling it a "premeditated massacre" by security forces in collaboration with "Meitei militants".
Other clashes were reported on Sunday in the rice fields of Sanasabi, Imphal East district when suspected Kuki militants allegedly attacked farmers harvesting rice in the Meitei-inhabited area of Sanasabi Loukol and the nearby village of Thamnapokpi.
The police responded to the attack and an exchange of gunfire ensued that lasted 40 minutes during which an officer was wounded.
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