School closed in India's Manipur state after fresh ethnic violence claims six more lives

Ongoing ethnic conflict that has been ongoing since last year, has displaced 60,000 people and claimed over 225 lives

Fresh violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur resulted in the deaths of six people, including one civilian, on Saturday, according to authorities.

The state government has responded by ordering all schools to remain closed.

The clash erupted following a longstanding dispute over economic benefits and quotas in education and government jobs.

This conflict has been ongoing since last year, triggered by a court order directing the state government to consider extending the special benefits currently enjoyed by the Kuki tribal community to the Meitei majority as well.

The violence represents the deadliest day in the recent spate of clashes that began a week ago.

Police reported that the latest incident saw the use of drones to drop explosive devices, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.

Authorities suspect that the drones were operated by Kuki militants, a claim that has been denied by Kuki groups.

"Fighting has been ongoing between armed groups from both communities since the morning," said Krishna Kumar, the deputy commissioner of Jiribam district where the clash occurred.

He added that the civilian who was killed was shot while asleep in his room.

Manipur, with a population of 3.2 million, has been divided along ethnic lines since the conflict began in May 2023.

The Meiteis predominantly control the valley, while the Kuki community dominates the hills, separated by a no-man's land monitored by federal paramilitary forces.

Earlier this month, violence had already resulted in two deaths and several injuries in Imphal West district, with further escalation occurring when a rocket fired by militants landed on the house of a former chief minister in Bishnupur district, killing a 78-year-old man and injuring six others.

The ongoing conflict has displaced around 60,000 people and claimed over 225 lives, underscoring the severe impact of this ethnic strife in Manipur.