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‘How can I ever feel safe?’: India’s Amit Shah faces tall order to restore calm in Manipur after ethnic violence
- Clashes erupted on May 3 over push for majority Meiteis – who are mostly Hindu – to gain access to jobs and university places set aside for Kukis, who are largely Christian
- Home Minister Amit Shah, representing Hindu-nationalist central government, is holding talks in the state, where the chief minister accuses Kukis of terrorism
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Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, hoping to restore order and ease tension in the state of Manipur following weeks of ethnic violence that has left dozens dead and seen tens of thousands of people flee their homes, has gone there to hold talks with regional leaders.
Clashes between tribal and non-tribal groups erupted on May 3 over a court demand that the majority Meitei community, who are mostly Hindu – the religion promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government – be granted access to jobs and university places set aside for tribal Kuki communities, who are largely Christian.
Around 100 people are thought to have died, prompting the intervention of the Indian army. Families from both groups fled after mobs set homes, shops and churches ablaze.
Some sought safety in refugee camps set up by the military while others left Manipur altogether, to stay with relatives in neighbouring states.
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Why has India’s Manipur state exploded into ethnic violence?
Why has India’s Manipur state exploded into ethnic violence?
The Manipur government, led by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, has struggled to restore normalcy, with police killing at least 40 people they claimed were militants.
The authorities will not allow the disintegration of Manipur by “armed terrorists”, Singh said in a statement on Sunday.
Amrit used to work for the BBC in London but decided to return to her country of origin, India, over 15 years ago. Apart from travel articles, she reports on every aspect of Indian society. Rajasthan is her favourite state because of the magnificence of its forts and palaces, the great Thar Desert, exquisite handicrafts, and a colour palette so glorious it can lift the lowest spirits.
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