Manipur ethnic violence: over 200 Indians return from Myanmar, CM thanks Indian Army

Imphal: Chief Minister N Biren Singh of Manipur expressed gratitude towards the Indian Army for successfully facilitating the safe return of more than 200 Indians who had fled to Myanmar from the border town of Moreh in Manipur due to ethnic violence on May 3.

These individuals, all belonging to the Meitei community, have now returned to Indian soil.

Singh conveyed his appreciation in a post on X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, "Relief and gratitude as 212 fellow Indian citizens (all Meiteis) who sought safety across the Myanmar border post the May 3rd unrest in Moreh town of Manipur, are now safely back on Indian soil."

He further acknowledged the efforts of the Indian Army, particularly the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Eastern Command, Lt Gen. RP Kalita, GOC of 3 Corp, Lt Gen. HS Sahi, and the Commanding Officer of 5 Assam Rifles, Col. Rahul Jain, for their unwavering service in ensuring the safe return of the Meitei community members.

The incident in question unfolded in Moreh, which is situated around 110 km from the Manipur state capital Imphal. The region witnessed heightened violence on May 3 when ethnic tensions escalated in Churachandpur district. This was triggered by a protest rally organised by the hill-majority Kuki-Zo-Chin tribes in response to the valley-majority Meiteis' demand for Scheduled Tribes (ST) status.

Moreh, known for its diverse population consisting of Kukis, Meiteis, and Tamils, bore the brunt of the conflict. The Meitei community members who fled to Myanmar were compelled to seek refuge due to the volatile situation.

While the Chief Minister's post did not explicitly detail the status of the Meiteis' return, it remains uncertain whether they have resettled in their properties in Moreh or if they have been relocated to the Imphal valley.

The clashes also highlighted larger concerns within the region. The Kuki-Zo-Chin tribes began advocating for a separate administration independent of Manipur, asserting that coexistence with the Meiteis was untenable. Some Meiteis who had previously resided in Kuki-majority hill areas expressed a desire to return home under enhanced security measures.

Owing to security forces establishing "buffer zones" to prevent the crossing of Meiteis and Kukis, the timeline for internally displaced individuals to return to their respective regions remains uncertain. This measure has been instituted to manage tensions between the two communities and ensure their safety.