News Reporter
Warning Issued as Reports of Property Destruction Escalate in the Midst of Ethnic Tensions
Imphal, Guwahati - October 10, 2023: In a bid to quell escalating tensions during the ongoing five-month-long ethnic strife in Manipur, the state government has issued a stern warning against the encroachment and destruction of properties belonging to those who have fled the violence. The directive comes in response to a Supreme Court order issued on September 25, mandating the safeguarding of properties owned by displaced individuals and preventing any further encroachments.
The Manipur Home Department emphasized that individuals found usurping or causing harm to the properties of others will face legal repercussions. This move comes as reports emerge of properties owned by members of one warring community being set ablaze or razed by the opposing side in various locations across the state.
The government's statement underscored the critical importance of addressing this issue with utmost sensitivity, as any such incidents could exacerbate the already fragile law and order situation within Manipur. It further called upon Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police to take prompt and decisive action in line with the Supreme Court's directives.
The ethnic strife, which ignited on May 3 following a 'Tribal Solidarity March' in the hill districts, has left over 180 people dead. The march was organized in protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. In Manipur, Meiteis account for approximately 53 percent of the population, primarily residing in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, make up 40 percent of the population and are mainly concentrated in the hill districts.
The government's efforts to protect property rights and prevent further violence are seen as a crucial step towards restoring stability in the region and resolving the ongoing ethnic conflict.