Manipur Schools Close Amid Escalating Violence
By News Fox
In a startling move aimed at ensuring the safety of students and educators, the state government of Manipur has ordered the closure of all schools following a recent surge of violence. This decision comes as tensions between the predominantly Hindu-majority Meitei and the mainly Christian Kuki communities have erupted into deadly clashes that have left five people dead, including one civilian.
For over a year, Manipur has been plagued by periodic violence fueled by disputes over economic benefits, government jobs, and educational quotas. These simmering tensions were exacerbated by a recent court order mandating the state government to extend the privileges enjoyed by the Kukis to the Meiteis, raising the stakes in the already volatile northeastern Indian state.
The latest outbreak occurred on Saturday in Jiribam, a district along the India-Myanmar border, where a fierce exchange of gunfire resulted in multiple fatalities. Authorities reported that the conflict saw the use of drones to drop improvised explosive devices, marking a significant escalation in the methods of attack.
In a state deeply divided along ethnic lines, with the valley controlled by Meiteis and the hilly regions dominated by the Kukis, federal paramilitary forces are struggling to maintain order in the no-man’s-land separating these enclaves. Despite these efforts, over 225 lives have been lost and around 60,000 individuals displaced since the conflict reignited last year.
As Manipur grapples with this latest wave of violence, the directive to close schools underscores the pervasive uncertainty and peril that looms over daily life in the region.
At least five people, including one civilian, have been killed as violence flared between two warring ethnic communities in the restive northeastern Indian state of Manipur, according to authorities. The violence between the predominantly Hindu-majority Meitei and the mainly Christian Kukis has been ongoing for over a year, primarily over disputes concerning economic benefits, government jobs, and education quotas. The current tension was further exacerbated by a court order mandating that the state government extend the benefits enjoyed by the Kukis to the Meiteis. The latest clashes occurred on Saturday in the border district of Jiribam, involving exchanges of gunfire that left one civilian dead and four armed individuals killed. So far, more than 225 people have been killed, and approximately 60,000 individuals have become displaced since the conflict began in May 2023. In response to the ongoing volatility, the state government has ordered all schools to remain closed to ensure the safety of students and teachers. Recent hostilities have included the usage of drones to deliver explosive devices, which authorities have labeled as a significant escalation in the nature of attacks.
The ongoing violence in Manipur highlights the deep-rooted ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities. Efforts to contain the situation have involved both local and federal authorities, yet clashes and fatalities continue to disrupt daily life and threaten public safety. The recent escalation, marked by the reported use of drones to drop explosive devices, underscores the increasing sophistication and dangers of the conflict.
The judiciary’s involvement, particularly the court ruling to extend economic benefits previously exclusive to the Kukis to the Meiteis, has acted as a catalyst for the recent spurts of violence. This, combined with historical socioeconomic disparities, amplifies the animosity between the two groups.
Given the state’s volatile situation, authorities have taken precautionary measures such as shutting down schools to protect students and educators. However, the continued state of unrest has had severe humanitarian repercussions, with over 225 lives lost and approximately 60,000 individuals displaced from their homes since the conflict reignited.
Local and federal forces are monitoring regions such as the no-man’s land separating the two communities, demonstrating the complexity and scale of the challenge in restoring peace and stability in Manipur. The international community, along with human rights organizations, is closely watching the developments, urging for a peaceful resolution and measures to address the root causes of the conflict for lasting harmony in the region.