This picture taken on May 4, 2023, shows vehicles allegedly burned by the Meitei community tribals protesting to demand inclusion under the Scheduled Tribe category, in Imphal the capital of India's Manipur state | Photo: AFP
Alappuzha: Manipur has become a prominent example of the ‘true face’ of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that 'changes colour' when it assumes power, said Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC).
Manipur is a lesson about the BJP’s political position, it noted following KCBC’s vigilance commission inquiry into communal violence in the north-eastern hilly state. It expressed concerns regarding the influence of ‘extremist Hindu organisations’ on the BJP, mirroring trends observed in other states.
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In Manipur, the clashes primarily occurred among various tribes, yet the underlying cause of the fresh riots extends beyond previous issues. Religious and communal polarisation has fueled unrest. Shockingly, during the initial four days of the riots, 121 Christian churches, including many belonging to the Meitei sect, were targeted. These attacks demonstrate that the insurgents are aimed at not just the Kuki tribes, the commission noted.
Reports also indicate that approximately twelve Hindu temples were destroyed. Hindus comprise the majority within the Meitei tribe, while Christians are predominant in the Kuki and Naga tribes. Christians account for 92 per cent of the tribal population in hilly regions. While both factions attacked each other, a systematic series of assaults specifically targeted the Kukis. These attacks were orchestrated by armed mobs, suggesting a well-defined plan behind the riots, it stated.
The report notes speeches inciting communal hatred and sections of the Meitei community vowing to safeguard their identity, culture, and religious beliefs as precursors to the riots. It is crucial for the general public to ascertain who orchestrated such destabilisation in the state. Manipur chief minister, N Biren Singh, and the government's policies bear significant responsibility for the violence, it said.
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