India: Outbreak of violence in Manipur, the State responds firmly
The remains of a tanker truck set on fire by tribal groups in Churachandpur, Manipur state, May 4, 2023. REUTERS - STRINGER
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Internet suspended, curfew in force and order given to the army to shoot on sight those responsible... The Indian government is trying to control the violent communal clashes that have been taking place since May 3 in India's far northeast, in the state of Manipur. The latter are caused by a decision of the regional court to allocate quotas to a relatively privileged community in the state.
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With our correspondent in New Delhi, Sébastien Farcis
Houses burned, gas cylinders exploding and more than 10,000 inhabitants evacuated to shelters: the situation remains volatile this Friday, May 5 in the mountain state of Manipur, on the border with Burma.
The violence erupted on the sidelines of the protest, led Wednesday by a tribal student union. He opposes the recent allocation of quotas to the Meitei community, which is politically and economically dominant in the region.
These quotas make it easier to access the civil service or universities, and are reserved for marginalized populations, such as tribals or lower castes. Thus, this attribution to this dominant group is experienced as an injustice. This region also has armed separatist groups.
The state's response is firm: army battalions are deployed in the streets, a partial curfew is declared, the internet is cut off throughout Manipur for five days, and orders are given to shoot on sight in extreme situations.
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