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.
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.