Imphal (AsiaNews) – A woman was killed last night in fresh interethnic clashes in Zairon Hmar, a village in Jiribam district, Manipur, a state in north-eastern India, torn by violence for more than a year. More than 10 houses were also set on fire, which the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), an organisation that brings together several tribal groups, blames on Meitei militants.
“The exchange of gunfire continued for about an hour. During the attack, more than ten houses were set ablaze. A woman named Sangkim was burnt to death after a fire engulfed her home," the ITLF said in a statement.
“Preliminary reports suggested that several villagers managed to flee during the attack and took shelter in [a] nearby forest,” a senior officer said.
The ITLF also expressed concern about the recent occupation of Kangchup Panjang village, Kangpokpi district, by heavily armed members of the KCP-PWG militant group, a militant Meitei organisation. Their infiltration in Kuki areas has created tensions and sparked fear in the predominantly Christian population living in the hilly areas.
The ITLF slammed the Manipur and Indian governments, both led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), for inaction against armed Meitei militants, who have occupied the Kuki-Zo territory.
“This unchecked militarisation within our lands can only be seen as a sinister tactic orchestrated by Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, diverting attention from his role in the systematic violence against the Kuki-Zo people," the ITLF leaders said.
The latter stressed the need for the government to ban extremist groups, such as Arambai Tenggol (AT); Kuki-Zo communities will not remain passive bystanders while their lands and lives are threatened.
Violence erupted in Manipur in May 2023 and has been periodically rekindled since then.
Lately violence involving ethnic Nagas has been reported. Hitherto, the Naga community has not been involved in the conflict between Kuki and Meitei. Nagas live among and trade with the other two communities.
Late last month, AT militants attacked and kidnapped two Naga traders, sparking fears that the violence might engulf other indigenous groups.
Officially, at least 226 people have died and more than 60,000 have been displaced, but the central government has not yet compensated the victims as it had promised, The Wire reports.
Meanwhile, the peace committee set up by Union Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah, has failed. It included Manipur Chief minister Singh, something opposed by members from several parties who quit in protest.
The central government tried separate talks in mid-October with Kuki, Meitei, and Naga representatives, the first attempt involving the Home Affairs Ministry and local politicians since the violence broke out.
“Nothing substantial was discussed,” the Hindu newspaper quoted a source as saying. “It was made clear that until there can be an assurance to stop violence, no further step can be taken.”
Following these talks, Kuki Members of the state’s Legislative Assembly demanded a separate administration for their community as a precondition for any peace talks.
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