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Manipur Ethnic Violence:In the persisting wave of ethnic violence that has gripped Manipur since May 3, 2023, three individuals, including a father-son duo, fell victim to suspected militants in Churachandpur district. The turmoil stems from the fallout of the ‘Tribal Solidarity March,’ initiated in protest against the Meitei community’s bid for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, which culminated in a violent clash.
Police authorities reported the discovery of three bodies in Churachandpur, identified as 51-year-old Ibomcha Singh and his 20-year-old son Anand Singh, along with 38-year-old Romen Singh, near Haotak Phailen. The trio, part of a group of four from Akasoi in Bishnupur district, had gone missing while collecting firewood in the nearby hills. The search for the fourth missing person, Dara Singh, is ongoing.
Simultaneously, law enforcement seized a significant cache of arms and explosives in Churachandpur and Tengnoupal districts. The recovered arsenal included a carbine, a country-made 9 mm pistol, single barrel guns, hand grenades, tear gas shells, and various ammunition. Search operations in Imphal West, Kakching, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Imphal East, and Churachandpur districts persist to uncover additional arms and ammunition.
The state has witnessed over 180 fatalities and numerous injuries since the eruption of ethnic violence last year. The ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ and the subsequent demand for ST status by the Meitei community have fueled tensions, leading to a protracted crisis with no signs of abatement.
