In a grim escalation of ongoing tensions in Manipur's ethnic conflict, a harrowing scene unfolded in the remote Kuki Thowai village within Ukhrul district. The peaceful morning was shattered by echoes of heavy gunfire, leading to the discovery of three mutilated bodies, a tragic testament to the deep-rooted turmoil.
These victims, aged between 24 and 35, were found lifeless amidst the aftermath of violence, their bodies bearing chilling signs of brutality. As law enforcement diligently combed through surrounding villages and dense forests, the stark reality emerged: injury marks etched by sharp blades and the grotesque removal of limbs, according to PTI reports.
The backdrop to this appalling incident stems from the convulsions that gripped the northeastern state on May 3. A 'Tribal Solidarity March,' fueled by simmering grievances, ignited a blaze of ethnic clashes. The fissures widened as the Meitei community's bid for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status irked others residing in the hills.
With Meiteis comprising the majority, accounting for 53% of Manipur's populace, their concentration in the Imphal Valley contrasts with the tribal Nagas and Kukis, encompassing slightly over 40%, whose lives unfold in the rugged hill districts.
