Young tribal Christian beheaded in Manipur, SC demands report

Imphal: India’s Supreme Court has demanded an update on the law and order situation in the northeastern state of Manipur even as a tribal Christian was beheaded, and three others, in the region two months ago. He was shot dead during the communal violence that ensued.
Indian media outlet First Post reported that the situation in Manipur took a turn for the worse on Sunday when a man identified as David Thiek was killed and beheaded in Langza, a tribal village in Churachandpur district.
A resident told Firstpost that Thiek was one of a handful of village volunteers who stayed in the village to protect their homes from looting while others fled after being instructed to evacuate their homes.
Additionally, three people were shot dead in Manipur’s Bishnupur district, which borders the hilly district of Churachandpur, escalating the conflict between the Hindu-majority Meiteis and the Kuki-Zomi tribes. At least 137 people have been killed since May 3. as 34-year-old Ningombam Ibomcha, 26-year-old Naorem Rajkumar and Haobam Ibocha.
The Supreme Court is currently considering two petitions related to the ongoing violence. One, filed by the Manipur Tribal Forum Delhi, has sought protection of the Kuki tribe, who are predominantly Christians, by the Indian Army, Live Law reported. Others contest the High Court’s earlier directive to consider inclusion of the Meitei community in the list of Scheduled Tribes.
The issue of Scheduled Tribe status for Meiteis has reportedly sparked unrest in the state. The next hearing is scheduled for next Monday.
Senior advocate Dr. Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the Manipur Tribal Forum, argued that the situation in Manipur has deteriorated. The Solicitor General of India replied that the situation was gradually improving due to the deployment of armed forces and the establishment of relief camps.
The clashes, which have resulted in displacement of villagers, arson and widespread violence, erupted in the state after the Manipur High Court ruled that the state government should recognize the tribal status of the Meiteis. Respond to the demand, which will benefit the majority community economically. Privileges and quotas in government jobs and education.
India’s main opposition leader Rahul Gandhi recently visited the region and expressed his dismay at the situation there.
“I came here because I wanted to share the pain of the people of Manipur. This is a terrible tragedy that has happened,” Gandhi, the leader of the center-left Congress party, said, according to NPR. He urged the government to improve basic facilities including food and medicine in the relief camps and called for an end to violence.
Amid the unrest, Manipur’s colleges resumed classes on Wednesday, but displaced students fear missing out on returns, important classes and exams. Online courses that were initially offered were halted due to internet outages.
According to faculty members and local officials, the situation is particularly difficult for Kuki-Zomi medical students, as major medical colleges are located in the Meitei-dominated valley district of Imphal.
Kuki student organizations tried to raise the issue of homeless students with the college authorities and directors of the concerned institutions but to no avail.

As the Supreme Court has sought an updated status report from the state and peace looks increasingly hollow, it is clear that the conflict in Manipur has created a deep humanitarian crisis.
The Indian Army has deployed additional personnel to control the situation, but the tension remains.

Church associations in Manipur have reported the destruction of over 400 churches, Christian schools, homes and seminaries belonging to both the Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities.
A recent report authored by journalist David Campanile and submitted to International Religious Freedom or Faith Unity states that the Meitei Christian community also faces severe persecution, mostly at the hands of people from their own ethnic community. .
Manipur’s state government is led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, which is accused of backing the Meiteis in its conflict with the Kuki-Zomi tribes.

The report circulated by Fiona Bruce, a member of the British Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, also said the violence had displaced nearly 50,000 people and destroyed hundreds of villages.