 |
| Violence against tribal Christians in Manipur is escalating |
The state of Manipur in Northeast India has been marred by escalating violence against the Kuki-Zo tribal Christian community, despite the military's interventions since May 3. This ongoing conflict has recently claimed eight more lives and left 29 people injured, further deepening the humanitarian crisis in the region. Shockingly, the toll now stands at 131 Kuki-Zo Christians killed, and more than 200 villages and over 360 churches destroyed or set ablaze.
These tragic incidents have primarily unfolded in the border regions between Bishnupur district, home to the Hindu majority Meitei community, and Churachandpur district, where the Kuki-Zo Christians reside. Reports from The Print reveal that victims come from both communities, with an unsettling pattern emerging – Meitei community members are often targeted when they enter tribal areas, often initiating deadly assaults.
The genesis of this violence can be traced back to a controversial court order, which directed the state of Manipur to consider extending special economic benefits and quotas previously reserved for the tribal Kuki-Zo population to the Meitei community. Additionally, it would grant government-backed Meiteis the right to purchase land in the hills inhabited by the Kuki-Zo people.
Despite the government's deployment of approximately 50,000 soldiers, armed police, and other security personnel to enforce buffer zones between the two communities, the situation remains dire. Official estimates suggest that mobs have managed to loot over 4,000 weapons and half a million rounds of ammunition from police in Manipur, further exacerbating the crisis. Lt. General P.C. Nair, director general of the federal paramilitary force Assam Rifles, aptly described the situation as "unprecedented." He expressed concerns about the "large number of weapons" within both communities and noted that "mobs surrounding forces, women blocking roads are new hurdles for the force trained to fight armed insurgents."
Efforts to mitigate the conflict are ongoing, with Lt. General Nair stating, "We are here only to curtail the levels of violence. … But more importantly, we are talking to multiple civil society organizations and various stakeholders to get them to hold talks." However, even the Supreme Court of India has remarked that there appears to be "no law and order left in Manipur."
Notably, cases of violence have been shifted to courts in Assam, and the state police's role in controlling violence and allowing the "looting" of armories has been widely criticized.
Amidst this chaos, the human toll is staggering. Over 131 individuals from the Kuki-Zo community have lost their lives, and their homes and places of worship have been reduced to ashes. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum reports that at least 41,425 people remain displaced.
Yet, the gravity of the situation is underscored by the fact that the bodies of only 35 victims are in hospitals in the Kuki-Zo Churachandpur district, locally known as Lamka. Dozens of bodies lie in hospitals in the Meitei-dominated Imphal area, where many of the Kuki-Zo victims were initially killed during the early days of the violence.
In a politically charged environment, it's important to note that the Bharatiya Janata Party, a Hindu nationalist group, governs both Manipur and the federal government. Internationally, the European Parliament passed a resolution in July urging the Indian government to urgently restore peace in Manipur. The resolution raised concerns about politically motivated policies promoting Hindu majoritarianism and an increase in militant group activity. Furthermore, it expressed alarm about partisan involvement by security forces in the killings, which has heightened distrust in the authorities.
In conclusion, the escalating violence against the Kuki-Zo tribal Christian community in Manipur is a grave concern. It highlights the urgent need for comprehensive efforts to restore peace, protect the vulnerable, and bridge the divides between communities. As the world watches, it remains essential to address the underlying issues driving this conflict and to work towards a harmonious coexistence among Manipur's diverse population.
