India: What is hindering permanent peace in Manipur?
Ethnic tensions continue to simmer in India's northeastern Manipur state, despite efforts by New Delhi to stabilize the restive region that has been beset by ethnic violence for nearly two years.
In May 2023, long-standing grievances between the Meitei and Kuki communities erupted into violence, which has so far claimed over 250 lives and displaced more than 50,000. The majority Meitei live predominantly in the state's Imphal valley, while the Kuki populate the surrounding hill regions.
The violence started after the Meiteis demanded official tribal status, which bestows privileges such as job quotas and land rights. The Kuki fear they will be further marginalized if the Meitei secure the tribal status.
India's federal government has split the state into two exclusive ethnic zones, separated by a buffer that central security forces patrol — a measure that reduced violence but failed to put an end to it.
As an example of continued dysfunction in Manipur, an attempt by the federal government to ensure free movement of traffic on the highways was blocked after a Kuki council said it was strongly opposed to the unrestricted free movement of goods and people in their areas.
"We will continue to oppose unrestricted free movement of people across ethnic buffer zones, as it undermines justice until our demand for a separate administration is met," a senior member of the council, told DW on condition of anonymity.
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