The home of Union Minister Rajkumar Ranjan Singh in Imphal’s Kongba was set on fire by criminals on Thursday night as violence continues to erupt in the northeastern state of Manipur.
The Imphal residence was set on fire while the minister was in Kerala. “It is quite painful to watch what happened last night,” minister exclusively told the sources.
He further added and thanked to God, “I was told that at around ten o’clock in the evening, more than fifty thugs burst into my home. My home’s first floor and bottom floor have been hurt. I wasn’t there, and neither was anyone from my family. Thank God, no one was injured.”
Singh, who belongs to the Meiti community, has persisted in pleading with all parties to refrain from violence and allow for the return of peace to the state.
“An eye for an eye will turn everyone blind. Any cause is not helped by violence. Those who participate in this violence are doing the country a great disservice. Additionally, it shows that they are the enemy of humanity,” says Singh to the sources.
The state government yesterday extended the ban on internet use in the state till June 20.
Earlier before on June 14, In Imphal East, nine people lost their lives and more than ten others suffered injuries.
On Wednesday, vandals attempted to set fire to Manipur minister Nemcha Kipgen’s residence in Imphal West. There is some burn damage to his home.
On May 29, During his four-day trip, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with the state’s chief executive, N Biren Singh, as well as representatives of the civil society, women’s groups, tribal organisations, and security personnel.
A state peace commission would be established, according to Shah’s announcement. Days following the Home Minister’s declaration, the committee was established.
Why is Manipur burning and violence is becoming so destructive?
The conflict stems from the Meitei people’s long-standing quest for Scheduled Tribe designation under the Indian Constitution, which would grant them rights similar to those enjoyed other tribal communities.
A Manipur High Court ruling from April required the state administration to decide on the matter, ideally within four weeks. The Meitei demand was opposed by the tribal groups. All hill districts participated in a solidarity march organised by the All Tribal Student Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on 3 May.
Conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities erupted in and around the Churachandpur district, which borders the Imphal Valley, by the end of March.
On 3 May 2023; A protest between the Meitei people, who make up the majority in the Imphal Valley, and the tribal group from the nearby hills, which includes the Kuki and Zo peoples, resulted in an ethnic clash in the north-eastern state of Manipur in India.
Since the High Court ordered the state administration to consider adding the Meitei group to the list of Scheduled Tribes (STs), ethnic violence has persisted in the state for more than a month.
To stop the bloodshed, central paramilitary forces were stationed in the state, and they are still there today.
Although the national government opposed such a withdrawal, the Manipur Cabinet resolved in March to end the Suspension of Operation agreements with three Kuki militant organisations, including the Kuki National Army and the Zomi Revolutionary Army.
Additionally, a number of Manipuri organisations protested in New Delhi to demand the creation of a National Register of Citizens (NRC) with 1951 as the basis year, citing the anomalous population growth in hill regions.
When demonstrators clashed in the Kangpokpi area during a rally against the encroachment of tribal land in the pretext of reserved forests, protected forests, and wildlife sanctuaries, five people were harmed. This was the first instance of violence.
The state cabinet, however, declared that the government will not relent in its efforts to safeguard the state’s natural resources and to end the growing of poppies.
On 11 April; Three churches in the Tribal Colony neighbourhood of Imphal were demolished because they were “illegal constructions” on government property.
On 20 April 2023; The state administration was given the order to consider the Meitei community’s request to be included in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list by a judge of the Manipur High Court. The Kukis were concerned that the Meiteis would be able to buy land in the forbidding steep areas thanks to the ST classification.
At least 98 individuals have died and more than 300 others have been injured as of June 14.
