Manipur Violence: 175 killed, 1,118 injured, 33 missing, and 96 bodies unclaimed reveals data released by the state government

The Manipur Government released some critical information pertaining to the impact of violence that has rocked the Northeastern state for over 4 months. Since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, 175 people have been killed, 1,118 have been injured, and 33 remain missing, states the data compiled by the police. The report further notifies that there are 96 bodies in the morgues that still remain unidentified.

The conflict in Manipur began when thousands of people were forced to flee their homes as a result of an ethnic conflict that was sparked off at the "Tribal Solidarity March" organized by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur in the hill areas on May 3, against the dominant Meitei community's desire for Scheduled Tribe status.

As per the government data, since the outbreak of hostilities, 5,668 weapons have been stolen from the state armory. Security forces have recovered 1,329 of them, another 15,050 rounds of ammo and 400 explosives were found. 4,786 homes and 386 religious buildings (including 254 churches and 132 temples) are among the at least 5,172 arson cases that have been reported. Moreover, the security forces have destroyed 360 illegal bunker across the state.

The barricades erected between Phougakchao Ikhai and Kangvai villages, covering a one-kilometer stretch of the Imphal-Churachandpur road, were also lifted on Thursday. The barricades acted as a "buffer zone" between the hills and the valley, guarded by security troops to prevent people from the warring Meitei and Kuki communities from crossing over and engaging with each other.

Since May 3, Manipur has been marred by several bouts of ethnic violence, without any signs of it abating. Hundreds have been killed, and several thousand displaced from their homes are now seeking shelter in relief camps. The harrowing tales of human suffering that have surfaced from the violence rocked state narrate the vagaries of prolonged mayhem on life and property.