At least nine killed in 'ambush' in India's remote Manipur

Forty thousand people have been displaced in the state since May 3

A member of the Kuki tribe during a tribal solidarity protest against the alleged ethnic cleansing in Manipur state in May. EPA

The killing of nine people by suspected militants in fresh ethnic violence in India’s Manipur state has deepened divisions between communities in the state.

Large-scale violence has left at least 100 dead and displaced tens of thousands since May 3, when clashes began between the majority Hindu Meitei community and Christian Kuki tribes over a government policy that would grant greater benefits to Meiteis.

Nine armed Meiteis, who were guarding their village at night, were attacked by suspected militants late on Tuesday.

Police said the militants opened fire on the men, using rocket-propelled grenades and automatic rifles on the periphery of the Meitei-dominated state capital, Imphal.

“The Meitei villagers were defending their village. A gunfight ensued between them and the suspected Kuki militants who were hiding in bushes and trees. After that, when some Meiteis were relaxing, the militants used guerrilla tactics and launched attacked killing nine Meiteis,” a police officer told The National.

The incident has increased tension between the communities amid fears of the further escalation of violence.

A Meitei activist said the killings have shaken faith between communities, with authorities accused of failing to curb the violence.

“We have been told that the men were volunteers. They were having their dinner and some were resting when suddenly they were attacked by rocket grenades and rained bullets. It was like they were ambushed,” Kiran Kumar Meitei, a volunteer with the Co-ordination Committee of Manipur Integrity, told The National.

“Both the communities have lost faith in each other. Kuki militants are roaming around carrying automatic rifles. The situation is tense. Every day, people are dying, houses are being burnt.”

Police said the situation remains tense in mixed population localities across the state although large number of people from both communities have fled to safety in their respective strongholds.

Armed groups from the warring communities have attacked each other in recent weeks, as residents deal with a security and communication lockdown.

Home Minister Amit Shah visited the state last month and gave assurances that peace would be restored. The federal government has sent more than 20,000 federal security forces to deal with the situation but activists including Mr Meitei said no gains have been made.

“The government has left the people to fight. The centre is brushing aside its responsibility. More than 100 people have died and thousands of houses burnt.”

His sentiments were echoed by Lanchenba Meetei, associate professor of Hindi at the state’s Dhanamanjuri University.

“Until the time the militants are not controlled, the bullets will not be not stopped, the situation would keep getting worse. The militants are using sophisticated weapons. The government has to control them,” Mr Meitei told The National.

Manipur borders Myanmar and Bangladesh, with many hills and valleys. It is governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.

Armed villagers stand guard in Dolaithabi village some 27km from Imphal on May 30. AFP

About 34 ethnic tribes, roughly 40 per cent population, have traditionally inhabited the hilly areas that comprise 90 per cent of the territory.

The Meiteis, who make up more than half of the population and dominate the valley areas, are confined to only 10 per cent of the land mass.

They have long demanded to be included in the tribe list so that they make gain access to exclusive land rights and job benefits while rising to the status of other tribal groups.

But opposing tribes – mostly Kukis – have expressed their opposition to such a move, claiming that the Meiteis already dominate the demographic, political and social landscape.

Dozens killed

About 100 people have been killed and roughly 40,000 have been displaced in the state. Thousands of homes and religious structures, including churches and temples, have been destroyed in the weeks-long strife.

More than a dozen of Manipur's 16 districts have been affected by the violence.

While women, children and elders have been forced to flee to army camps, young men from both communities have been volunteering to keep a vigil in their villages.

The incident comes a week after a seven-year-old Kuki boy, his mother and his aunt were burnt alive by an alleged Meitei mob while they were on their way to hospital in an ambulance.

Despite assurances from the federal government that peace would soon be restored, Mr Meitei said that it has been a “mute spectator” to the violence.

“Both the communities have lost faith in each other. The central government is not doing anything. They have sent 20,000 paramilitary forces here – where are they?” he said.

“We have demanded the suspension of militant organisations. When the government is unable to control the groups then how will the villagers be safe?”