Fierce fighting broke out in the state of Manipur bordering
Myanmar when members of about 30 tribal groups clashed with a
non-tribal group, the ethnic majority Meitei, over the economic
benefits and reservation status extended to some tribes.
"We are trying to ensure villagers return to their homes as
leaders from opposing sides have started holding peace talks
today," said Lorho S. Pfoze, a member of parliament from the
state.
"The situation is extremely tense and victims are scared to
return to their villages as they fear clashes could erupt
again."
Civilians were taken home after the completion of combing
operations near the border areas, a senior officer of the Indian
Army said on condition of anonymity, adding that dawn-to-dusk
curfew is to continue this week.
Police in Manipur's capital of Imphal said 62 people were killed
in the fighting that had raged in the hills and some parts of
the valley, but there was no violence over the weekend.Three
politicians of the state's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
said the death toll was around 70 and more than 18,000 villagers
had been forced to flee after armed men attacked shops and homes
in four districts.
Members of rights groups in Imphal said the latest round of
tension began last month after the Manipur High Court asked the
government to consider the Meitei community's plea for the
constitutionally defined status of a scheduled tribe.
However, recognised tribes oppose the grant of such status.
"The tribal and non-tribal groups have had a history of jealousy
over distribution economic resources and opportunities but this
time their anger just could not be contained," said one of the
participants in the peace talks, Khuraijam Athouba.
India reserves some government jobs, college places and elected
seats - from village councils to parliament - for those
categorised as scheduled tribes, in a form of affirmative action
to tackle historical structural inequality and discrimination.
"We are urging both sides to really put an end to the violence
or they will have to live under strict curfew for months," added
Athouba, a member of the Coordination Committee on Manipur
Integrity.
(Reporting by Rupam Jain in New Delhi; Editing by YP Rajesh and
Clarence Fernandez)
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