A curfew has been imposed in Jiribam district, Manipur, following an encounter between security forces and militants that resulted in the deaths of 11 suspected insurgents ¹. The Kuki-Zo Council has claimed the deceased were “village volunteers” and called for a total shutdown in protest. The district magistrate’s order prohibits carrying firearms, swords, sticks, stones, or other lethal weapons, with exemptions for government agencies and essential services.
The recent violence is part of a larger ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities that began in May 2023 over a proposed Scheduled Tribe status for the Meitei people ¹. The conflict has claimed over 260 lives and displaced more than 60,000 people. Fresh violence was reported in Imphal Valley, with armed groups exchanging fire, after a brief lull in the conflict.
[news_related_post]The Kuki-Zo Council has demanded an immediate investigation into the encounter and justice for the victims. The Supreme Court is also examining audio tapes related to the Manipur Chief Minister’s involvement in the riots ¹. The ongoing tensions highlight the complex ethnic dynamics in Manipur, with long-standing disputes over land rights, affirmative action, and cultural identity.
