Reports of violence, fire, and mayhem have been making their way out of several Manipur districts for more than 60 days. For long, Manipur has had a complex history that has seen instances of violence and conflict. Ethnic conflicts have occasionally occurred throughout the state, but never to this extent. Most of the parts of the state remained under curfew for the last few days. However, the West Imphal district’s curfew would be relaxed from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday.
Curfew Relaxation In West Imphal District
As a result of Chief Minister Biren Singh’s Sunday inspection of the situation in the hills bordering Bishnupur-Churachandpur, the places in the West Imphal district would be undergoing a curfew relaxation.
According to Hindu, the District Magistrate’s decision was that “the district’s law and order have significantly improved, and there is a need to relax the movement restrictions to make it easier for the general public to buy the necessities, such as food and medicine.”
The order further stated that when the time of relaxation had ended, “movement of persons belonging to essential services such as Health, Electricity, PHED, Municipality, Press and Electronic media and functioning of Courts shall be exempt from further imposition of curfew.”
However, the situation in Manipur is complex and multifaceted, and any discussion of violence in the region requires a nuanced understanding of its historical, political, and social dynamics.
Also Read: Manipur Violence: Will The State’s Tourism Be Able To Recover From Its Impact?
What Was Happening In Manipur?
The state is home to various ethnic communities, including the Meiteis, Nagas, Kukis, and others. This conflict is said to have stemmed from the Meitei people’s long-standing quest for Scheduled Tribe designation under the Indian Constitution, which would grant them rights similar to those enjoyed by other tribal communities.
According to The Hindu, the violence started on May 3 following a solidarity march organised by the All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) against a recent Manipur High Court order requesting that the Manipur State government make a recommendation to the Centre regarding the demand to include the Meitei community on the Scheduled Tribes (STs) list. When records of violence came up, there have been more than 113 fatalities. Numerous stores and homes were looted and destroyed violently.
But it simply serves as one of many. The underlying anger that has been building for a while has additional sources.
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