Fresh violence erupted in Manipur: Meitei miscreants burnt down another Church, houses in Imphal

A day after reaffirming his pledge to stand up against violence, hate, divisive ideologies, and all forms of terrorisms in the State, the Manipur Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh's administration in the State today witnessed another fresh violence in the capital city, Imphal.

Devastating scenes of ICI Church at Chassad Avenue, Imphal, seen engulfed in flames in broad daylight, including several houses belonging to Kuki-Zo community, by the Meitei mobs, a testament to the utter incompetence of the state administration. The incident has added to the already prevailing communal tension in the state, prompting concerns about security and intelligence measures.

As per reports, gunmen forced shops to shut in check on the affected area, and Security forces rushed to the spot to control the situation. Meanwhile, two persons have been arrested in connection with the incident, the report stated.

Chief Minister had attended the observance of National Anti-Terrorism Day on Sunday, and reaffirmed the government's pledge to stand up against violence, hate, divisive ideologies and all forms of terrorism.

"Although misunderstandings occur at times, I have a strong faith in our ability to always rise above our differences by showing compassion, forgiveness and strengthen our age-old bonds," Biren Singh tweeted yesterday.

As the burning of Manipur continues after communal tension broke out on May 3, the ban on internet services was put in place. The Government on Sunday further extended the ban on internet services across Manipur till May 26 to maintain peace and order in the violence-hit state.

Manipur Commissioner (Home) H Gyan Prakash said in a notification that the decision was taken in view of reports of arson. The internet was first suspended in the state on May 3 when violence broke out in the aftermath of an alleged 'ethnic cleansing' pogrom unleased by the majority Meiteis on the Kuki-Zo ethnic community.

Ethnic violence in Manipur has left more than 70 dead, 230 injured, 1,700 houses destroyed and around 35,000 people displaced, with many survivors looking for an escape route.

The violence began on May 3, 2023 after the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur took out a Solidarity Rally in all the Hill districts of Manipur, against the high court’s recommendation nod for the scheduled tribe status to the Meitei community. Although the Rally was organised by all tribal communities of the State, the majority Meitei community selectively targeted the Kuki-Zo ethnic community thereby unleasing terrors on them leading to devastating affairs of the state.

The Tribals have now demanded total separation of administration from Manipur. All the ten Legislative members from the Kuki-Zo community had already submitted 'Separate Administration' demand to the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, in New Delhi.

Meanwhile, in view of the prevailing situation in the neighbouring state, the Mizoram BJP has also announced its support to cause of 'Separate Administration' for the Kuki-Zo community of Manipur.