Civil society accuses India’s ruling party of divisive politics in violence-hit Manipur state

ANKARA (AA): Civil society groups in India have accused the ruling right-wing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of divisive politics in the northeastern state of Manipur, where ethnic violence has claimed over 100 lives and forced thousands of people from their homes since early last month.

“Manipur is burning today in very large part due to the divisive politics played by the BJP and its governments at the Centre and State,” said a joint statement issued on Thursday by over 550 civil society groups and concerned people from across the country.

“And on them lies the onus to stop this ongoing civil war before more lives are lost,” they emphasized.

The statement has been endorsed by many human rights and civil society groups, and signatories include retired bureaucrats, police officers, activists and academics.

At least 100 people have lost their lives in ethnic violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities in Manipur since May 3, according to officials. This week, at least nine people were killed in a gunfight in the state.

The rights groups demanded an immediate halt to the violence that is causing a large-scale disruption of lives.

As soon as the violence ceases, the groups stressed the need for “independent, non-partisan civil society members to visit survivors and the bereaved; make attempts to verify reports of killings and rapes; and offer solidarity and all possible support to those traumatized by the loss of loved ones, homes, and churches.”

The groups have made several demands, including that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi “must speak up and take accountability” for the current situation in the state, and that a “court-monitored tribunal must be formed to establish facts…to mitigate the divisiveness and hatred being engineered.”

As the situation in the state remains dire, curfews are still in effect in various parts of the state, where internet service has also been suspended.

On April 19, the Manipur High Court in its ruling directed the state government to submit recommendations for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category, which enraged the tribal population.

On May 4, the army was called in to assist law enforcement after a curfew was imposed in eight districts of Manipur following violence that erupted during protests against the inclusion of the Meitei community in the scheduled tribes’ category, giving them some special privileges.

Thousands of people have been displaced by ethnic violence in the state, forcing them to flee to neighboring Mizoram state.