Manipur CM Expresses Relief, Lauds Indian Army Over Return Of 212 Meiteis From Myanmar

Manipur chief minister hailed the efforts of the Indian Army for aiding the safe return of over 200 Meiteis back to their hometown. 

Volunteers with displaced villagers from Gwaltabi protest over the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, at Yaingangpokpi in Imphal East, ( Image Source :PTI )

Three months after they escaped to Myanmar, more than 200 Meiteis have been repatriated safely to Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren Singh informed on Friday. He also lauded the effort of the Army in bringing these Meiteis back to the state. The chief minister took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to show gratitude for the return of more than 200 Meiteis. He hailed the efforts of the Indian Army for aiding the safe return of the Meiteis back to their hometown. Notably, over 160 people have been killed and several hundred have been injured since the clashes broke out between Meiteis and Kukis on May 3, according to a PTI report. 

Relief and gratitude as 212 fellow Indian citizens (all Meiteis) who sought safety across the Myanmar border post the May 3rd unrest in Moreh town of Manipur, are now safely back on Indian soil.

A big shout-out to the Indian Army for their dedication in bringing them home.…

— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) August 18, 2023

Manipur and Myanmar share a 390 km long border and, according to The Times of India, a 10 km fence is being built along the Moreh sector.  

About 53 percent of Meiteis account for Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while the tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent of the population and reside mostly in the hill districts. 

The news comes after the mutilated bodies of three youths were found following a firing incident at Kuki Thowai village in the state's Ukhrul district. Gunfire was heard early in the morning from the village, which falls under Litan police station. As per PTI, the bodies of the three youths aged between 24 years and 35 years were found after a search was conducted in the surrounding villages and forest areas. The bodies had wounds that seemed to be made from sharp knives and the limbs of the bodies were chopped off.