The state of Manipur, nestled in India’s far northeastern region, has been marred by violence as security forces engage in an ongoing operation to quell the unrest following ethnic clashes. On Sunday, May 28, the state’s chief minister announced that approximately 33 tribal militants have lost their lives in the recent confrontations.
In the past weeks, tensions have escalated in Manipur, a state sharing a border with Myanmar. The region has witnessed rioting and clashes between tribal groups and the ethnic majority Meitei community, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 60 individuals and displacing around 35,000 people. The violence initially erupted on May 3, fueled by disputes over economic benefits and quotas granted to the tribes.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh has informed reporters that a comprehensive operation involving mass combing and helicopter support has been launched, to track down the culprits responsible for attacking civilians.
“Mass combing operations along with helicopter operations have started. We are trying to find out culprits, those militants, who are attacking the civilians,” he stated.
Meanwhile, in response to the gravity of the situation, the Indian government had swiftly deployed thousands of paramilitary and army troops to Manipur earlier in May to restore stability in the state, which is home to 3.2 million inhabitants.
The proximity of Manipur’s nearly 400-kilometer (250-mile) border with Myanmar has also exacerbated the challenges faced by the region. In 2021, Myanmar experienced a coup, leading to a significant influx of refugees crossing into Indian territory seeking safety.
