Escaping Conflict: Manipur Residents Flee to Assam

People affected by new violence in Manipur arrive in Assam's Cachar district seeking safety. Security is heightened along the border as police and local authorities work to prevent further conflict. Around 600 have taken shelter, primarily in Lakhipur, with no government relief camps available.

People affected by new incidents of violence in Manipur have begun arriving in Assam’s Cachar district for safety, according to the local MLA. Security has been tightened along the inter-state border, local police confirmed on Monday. Two police outposts, a forest beat office, and at least 70 houses were torched in Jiribam by suspected militants on Saturday, sparking fresh tension in the neighboring state, which has been beset by ethnic violence since May last year.

Residents of the bordering areas reported that approximately 600 people have taken refuge in various parts of Lakhipur in Cachar district. They entered the state by crossing the Jiri river over the past four days.

Currently, they are sheltering in villages at Jirighat and Lakhipur, although no government relief camps have been established for them, sources claimed.

“The people from Manipur are being allowed to stay here safely. The local administration is taking all steps to ensure that violence does not spread to this area,” Lakhipur MLA Kaushik Rai told PTI.

Cachar Superintendent of Police Nomal Mahatto said police and other security forces have been deployed in the border areas to maintain peace.

“There are no reports of any untoward incidents in Cachar so far. Police patrols are ongoing in Jirighat near the border, along the national highway, and in nearby villages,” he noted.

The SP added that the situation on the Assam side is completely under control, with police maintaining a strict vigil following the violence in Jiribam.

Jiribam, a region with a diverse ethnic mix of Meiteis, Muslims, Nagas, Kukis, and non-Manipuris, had largely been untouched by the ethnic strife that has plagued the northeastern state since May last year.

The MLA reported that most of the individuals who have entered Cachar are Kukis and Hmars.

The ethnic conflict between Imphal valley-based Meiteis and hill-based Kukis began in May last year and has resulted in the deaths of over 200 individuals and left thousands homeless.