National Desk, 9 May: Following conflicts between the Kuki and Meitei communities on May 3, thousands of members of the Kuki community are leaving the violent Manipur.
Thousands of Kukis have been seen hurrying to the airport in the conflict-torn state out of concern for the further breakdown of law and order.
Following deadly confrontations that broke out on May 3 between the two groups in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, the state has been dealing with a volatile situation.
Manipur’s top tribal organisation, ATSUM organised a solidarity march of the state’s tribal organisations to protest against the demand that Meiteis be included to the ST list.
In the midst of the stressful situation, several states have already started evacuating students who are stuck in Manipur.
The “Shoot-at-Sight” order hasn’t changed the fact that things are still tense in sensitive areas where reports of vandalism and arson keep coming in.
Many Manipur residents were stuck at relief camps after the recent escalation of communal conflict in quest of a safe haven. At the BSF-STC, Mini Secretariat Complex in Tuibong, IB Headquarter and Assam Rifles near Khuga Dam in the Churachandpur district, relief camps have opened. Children, the elderly and those who were ill received priority during this initial round of evacuations. All of the remaining trapped individuals will also depart in stages.