Manipur Violence: Clashes broke out between armed forces and Meitei community protesters in Manipur's Bishnupur district on Thursday (August 03), resulting in 17 people sustaining injuries.
The incident led the authorities in Imphal East and Imphal West to revoke earlier announced curfew relaxations and impose daytime restrictions as a precautionary measure.
In an attempt to cross a barricaded zone, Meitei women were halted by the Assam Rifles and the Rapid Action Force (RAF), triggering stone-pelting and confrontations with the armed forces.
Tear gas shells were fired by the armed forces and Manipur Police to disperse the protesters in the Kangvai and Phougakchao areas of the district.
Meanwhile, a significant police force was deployed to prevent further incidents of violence.
Prior to the clashes, a planned mass burial of Kuki-Zomi people, who were killed in ethnic violence in Manipur, was postponed after the state's High Court ordered a status quo at the proposed burial site in Churachandpur district.
The situation continues to remain tense as authorities are monitoring the developments and taking necessary steps to restore peace in the area.
It all started on May 3, when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was conducted in the 10 hill districts of Manipur to protest the Meitei community's desire for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) classification.
Since May 3, Manipur has been engulfed in a state of unrest as clashes erupted between the Meitei and Kuki communities, triggered by a protest march organized by the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM). Tragically, the ongoing violence in the hilly state has resulted in the loss of over 100 lives.
