Imphal: At least 28 people were wounded in Manipur on Wednesday when security forces tried to stop a 30,000-strong crowd mobilized by a valley-based organization to defy a curfew and break through an Army barricade.
The crowd was protesting against the alleged burning of Meitei homes in Kuki-inhabited areas. The curfew was imposed in Churachandpur district on Tuesday after clashes between the two communities.
The security forces used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd, but they were unsuccessful. The crowd eventually broke through the barricade and marched towards the Kuki-inhabited areas.
The injured were taken to a nearby hospital. The condition of some of them is said to be serious.
The Manipur government has condemned the violence and called for calm. The state police chief has also ordered an investigation into the incident.
The violence is the latest in a series of clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur. The two communities have been at loggerheads for decades over land and other issues.
The clashes have often turned violent, leaving dozens of people dead and injured. The government has tried to address the issue through a number of measures, but the violence has persisted.
The latest violence is a reminder of the deep-seated tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur. It is also a reminder of the challenges that the government faces in trying to resolve the issue.
The government needs to take urgent steps to address the root causes of the violence and bring peace to the state. It also needs to ensure that the security forces are deployed in a way that prevents further violence.