Curfew eased in Manipur

Indian-Army-patrolling-in-Manipur
© Indian Army, Via Reuters

The curfew in Manipur is being relaxed, said the authorities.

An official in the capital city of Imphal, Diana Devi, said the curfew is being lifted from 5 AM to 5 PM, so the residents can buy food, medicines, and other essentials.

Weeks of Violence

The northeast state has witnessed unrest for the last 45 days.

The violence that erupted on May 3 resulted from a disagreement between indigenous communities over government benefits.

Meiteis, the dominant community living in the lowlands of the state and accounting for half of the state’s population, expressed resentment over economic benefits and quotas for government jobs and education being offered to Kukis, an ethnic group who mostly live in the hills.

They demanded that the quotas be extended to them. The Kukis objected to Meiteis getting a bigger share in education and government jobs via the quota that was originally reserved for them.

On June 15, Central Minister RK Ranjan Singh’s house was set on fire in Imphal. He hails from the majority Meitei community.

According to the Home Ministry, 83 people have been killed, and more than 60,000 residents were displaced because of the volatile situation in the state.

(With Inputs from Reuters)