The violence in Manipur is primarily driven by ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Hmar-Zomi people.
The violence erupted on May 3, 2023, in Manipur, a northeastern state in India.
The conflict is centered around ethnic tensions between the Meitei, who are the majority community, and the Kuki-Hmar-Zomi people.
The violence has resulted in significant damage, including the destruction of around 400 churches and the vandalization of 17 temples.
The violence is rooted in long-standing ethnic tensions and demands for territorial autonomy.
The Kuki-Hmar-Zomi people have been demanding a separate and independent administration.
These demands have fueled the conflict and led to clashes between different communities.
The violence has resulted in a significant loss of life and injuries. As of the latest information, at least 98 people have been killed, including 80 tribals.
Additionally, 310 people have been injured.
The violence has caused a significant number of people to be temporarily displaced.
Over 26,000 people have been displaced, and an additional 46,000 people have been relocated to other areas.
The violence in Manipur is primarily an ethnic conflict and not a religious one; the conflict is complex and deeply rooted in historical and socio-political factors.
Efforts are being made to address the underlying issues and bring about a peaceful resolution to the violence.
Manipur viral video
In May 2023, a shocking video of a sexual assault in the Indian state of Manipur went viral, showing dozens of men parading and assaulting two women who had been stripped naked.
The incident happened during the early days of ethnic clashes in Manipur.
The video renewed attention on the issue of violence against women in India and sparked outrage across the country.
It took more than two months for word of the incident to spread, partly because the internet in the region had been shut down.
However, once the video went viral, it prompted police in India to act more than two months later.
The incident also emboldened women to speak out about other cases of violence against women in Manipur.
Manipur shares a nearly 400-km (250-mile) border with Myanmar, and the coup there in 2021 pushed thousands of refugees into the Indian state, exacerbating existing tensions.
Violence against women in Manipur has been a longstanding issue, with reports of sexual assault and harassment by security forces and armed groups.
The Indian government’s response to the Manipur viral video was delayed, with police only taking action more than two months after the incident.
However, the video prompted the government to take action, with the Ministry of External Affairs stating that “authorities [were] taking action” in response to the video.
The incident also renewed attention on the issue of violence against women in India, prompting women to speak out about other cases of violence against women in Manipur.
The Indian government has been criticized for its handling of violence against women in the past, with reports of sexual assault and harassment by security forces and armed groups in Manipur.
The incident highlights the need for the Indian government to take stronger action to protect women from violence and to address the underlying issues that contribute to violence against women in the country.