Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
29 December 2023 | 13:48 CAT

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh. Pic/Twitter@manipur_cmo

Unprecedented ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3 following a tribal solidarity rally that turned violent in the Churachandpur district, leading to retaliatory violence between Chin-Kuki-Zo and the Meitei communities across the state.

Around 50,650 men, women and children of different communities were displaced by the violence and are sheltered in 350 camps. Around 13000 people have taken shelter in Mizoram.

Stating that tourism in the state has been reduced by 10-20 per cent, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has appealed to the people to stop violence and start a peaceful dialogue to end the ethnic crisis.

“We cannot deny (tourism) is little affected. But particularly in the Imphal area and other parts of the hills except two districts, normalcy is there. But (tourism) has reduced by 10-20 per cent. During the crisis time, even in the Imphal valley, security vehicles were not allowed to move. We have to take some time because all are our people. We cannot use force against them. Slowly, normalcy is returning. We have to convince the people,” CM Singh said.

Meanwhile, in an interview with Radio Islam International, the Editor of Hardnews Magazine, Sanjay Kapoor, points out that there are conflicting signals coming out from India’s Home Ministry.

“It is all frozen turbulence, there is plenty which could have been done but had not been done,” says Kapoor.

Kapoor states, “The matter could be sorted out as India is a very powerful country with a strong army and police, and there is no reason why the matter is allowed to perpetuate for so long.”

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie.