AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Imphal, May 29, 2023 (PPI-OT): At least seven more civilians, mostly Christians, were killed as BJP government has waged a war against Christians in the violence-hit Manipur state of India, bringing the toll to more than 50 during the past 48 hours. A head of Indian Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Manipur, today, seven more civilians mostly Christians and two police commandos were killed in Sugnu Assembly constituency, official sources confirmed. As many as 40 Christians were killed in a massive crackdown by the Indian army and paramilitary forces in different areas over the past two days. Around 250 houses were set ablaze in the area.
The Indian army and police establishment, however, confirmed that operations against the people belongs to mostly Christians, Kuki National Organisation and the United Peoples’ Front who are demanding freedom from India were going on and the casualties could increase in the state. The Tribune India in its editorial said, the situation is getting complicated in the north-eastern state. Clashes broke out in the state around three weeks ago between two ethnic and indigenous groups – the dominant Meiteis who mostly live in and around Imphal valley, and the Kuki tribals who are mostly Christians, who live in the hills. It has led to bloodshed and trauma, besides houses and churches being burnt and the Internet suspended. Around 75 people mostly Christians have been killed, hundreds wounded and tens of thousands displaced and shifted to relief camps.
The two groups have been embroiled in a fight since March following the Manipur High Court’s direction to the state to consider including the Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribes list. The Kukis, who are mostly Christians, feel threatened as the move would pave the path for the largely Hindu Meiteis to own land in the forest and hill areas and get jobs at their expense. Now, with the Nagas, represented by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) – which has a truce treaty with the New Delhi – getting caught in the crossfire, a high-level intervention is needed to broker peace. The Indian Army Chief visited the state on May 27-28 to take stock of the situation, while Indian Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to arrive in Manipur on Monday.
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