Priya Aditi
Thursday, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti addressed the violent situation in Manipur, stating that the issue is more human than strategic. He stated that one need not be an Indian to be concerned when “children or individuals” are killed by such violence. Garcetti stated that the United States is willing to assist with peace efforts if requested, and he added that if peace remains in Manipur, more investment will be attracted to the region. As a result of violent clashes between the Kuki and Meitei communities in May and June, hundreds of Manipuris were forced to relocate to secure areas.
“I do not believe it is a matter of strategic concerns, but rather of human ones. It is not necessary to be an Indian to care when children or individuals are killed by such violence. We recognize peace as a precedent for many positive things. So much progress has been made in the Northeast and East…If requested, we are prepared to assist in any capacity. We are aware that this is an Indian issue, and we pray that peace will arrive swiftly. Because we can bring more collaboration, more initiatives, and more investment if peace prevails,” Garcetti explained.
Meanwhile, a woman was shot and killed by unidentified assailants outside a school in the Imphal West district of the northeastern state on Thursday, a day after classes resumed in the violence-stricken state of Manipur. Wednesday at approximately 3.40 p.m., the incident occurred at Kwakeithel Mayai Koibi under Lamphel police station, according to officials.
According to the agency, she had gone near the school for employment, but she was unaffiliated with the educational institution.
According to sources close to PTI, intermittent gunfire was heard early Thursday morning in a village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, hours after security forces thwarted confrontations in which men armed with automatic weapons attacked villagers. According to the sources, armed groups from neighboring regions congregated in the area, escalating tensions.
Nonetheless, the situation was brought under control as a result of the deployment of Assam Rifles personnel to the region.
A tribal organization demanded the imposition of President’s Rule in the northeastern state following the murder of the woman.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) identified the woman as Donngaihching, a mentally ill benefactor of local charity. ITLF issued a statement urging the central government to promptly impose President’s Rule and remove the incompetent state government.
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Since ethnic violence broke out in the state on May 3, when a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organized in the hill districts to protest the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, more than 100 people have died and more than 3,000 have been injured.
