Manipur Violence: 175 Dead, Over 4,700 Houses Set Ablaze In Four Months, Says IGP

Manipur Violence: Sharing details on the unprecedented violence in Manipur, IGP Muivah said 5,172 cases of arson were reported since May 3.

A burnt vehicle is seen at Torbung village in Churachandpur district in Manipur

As sporadic violence continues to rock Manipur, police said 175 people were killed and 1,108 others were injured in the ethnic strife since May 3. Addressing a press conference in Imphal, Manipur Inspector General of Police (Operations) IK Muivah said 4,786 houses were set ablaze by miscreants and 386 religious structures (254 churches and 132 temples) were vandalised.

"In this challenging time that Manipur is in, we can reassure the public that the police, central forces and the civil administration are trying round-the-clock to bring normalcy back," the IGP said.

Sharing details on the unprecedented violence in different districts of the state, IGP Muivah said 5,172 cases of arson were reported in the four months.

Of the weapons looted from police stations during the ongoing violence, 1,359 firearms and 15,050 ammunition were recovered, Muivah said on Thursday. Manipur police had previously said over 4,000 arms were looted from various police stations and armouries in the north-eastern state.

Of the 175 people killed, nine are yet to be unidentified. Police said 96 bodies still remain unclaimed.

IGP Jayanta said 9,332 cases related to violation of law were registered and 325 people were arrested so far in connection with the clashes.

IGP Muivah also said security barricades between Phougakchao Ikhai in the state's Bishnupur district and Kangvai in Churachandpur district were removed and security measures were stepped up on national highways.

"The decision of the state police to remove the security barricades is likely to go down well with the local populace who wanted those to be removed so that the internally displaced people could return to their place of origin," the IGP further said.

IGP (Zone-3) Nishit Ujjwal said NH-32 and NH-2 were functioning normally.

Clashes between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo communities broke out on May 3 this year after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. 

The writer is a senior independent journalist covering the Northeast.