Ethnic Tensions Surge in Jiribam: Meitei Community Displaced After Violent Outbreak

Over 200 Meitei community members were evacuated to a relief camp in Manipur's Jiribam district following violence. Suspected militants burned their houses after the killing of a 59-year-old man. Tensions have risen, with locals demanding the return of their licensed firearms amid ongoing ethnic strife.

More than 200 people from the Meitei community have been evacuated from their villages in Manipur's Jiribam district. This evacuation follows an outbreak of violence after the murder of a man, officials said on Saturday.

The displaced individuals, now residing at a relief camp in Jiri Sports Complex, saw their homes in the villages of Lamtai Khunou, Dibong Khunou, Nunkhal, and Begra burned down by suspected militants.

Police confirmed that most evacuees hailed from villages over 30 km away from Jiribam town. Additional security forces have been deployed to the area. Manipur police have directed state police commando personnel in the Imphal Valley to relocate to Jiribam for immediate duty.

Tensions in Jiribam district escalated on Thursday after the slaying of 59-year-old Soibam Saratkumar Singh, allegedly by militants from a different community. Singh's body, found with sharp object wounds, sparked outrage among locals.

In retaliation, locals set ablaze an abandoned structure and protested in front of Jiribam police station, demanding the return of their licensed firearms, which were confiscated during recent elections.

Jiribam, known for its diverse ethnic groups including Meiteis, Muslims, Nagas, Kukis, and non-Manipuris, had remained untouched by the ethnic conflict raging in Manipur since May of the previous year. The ongoing strife between Meiteis and Kukis in the region has already resulted in over 200 deaths and left thousands homeless.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)