Indian police have arrested 33 individuals following a resurgence in ethnic violence in Manipur state, officials reported on Thursday. A curfew and internet blackout have been imposed to restore order.
The violence erupted in May 2023 between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community, resulting in at least 200 deaths. The conflict has since fragmented communities into rival factions across the northeastern state, which borders war-torn Myanmar.
Recent clashes this month have resulted in at least 11 additional fatalities. The violence has escalated significantly, with insurgents using rockets and drones to drop bombs.
In response, Manipur Police have detained 33 people and apprehended seven juveniles. The police statement urges cooperation with law enforcement to maintain peace and normalcy. Authorities have also reinstated an internet shutdown in several areas, echoing last year’s prolonged blackout, and imposed a curfew. Despite these measures, many in the state capital, Imphal, have defied the curfew.
On Tuesday, Meitei protesters marched through Imphal demanding action against Kuki insurgent groups, who are blamed for the recent attacks. The long-standing conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities centers on competition for land and public jobs.
Critics accuse local leaders of inflaming ethnic tensions for political gain. Manipur, governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, has seen around 60,000 people displaced due to the violence last year, with many still unable to return home.
