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‘Burnt Tyres, Sounds of Firing’: Life in Manipur Ahead of Amit Shah’s Visit

On May 28, Sunday, The Wire visited Churachandpur, the district where at least 13 people were killed in mob violence that lasted for two days.
Ahead of Union home minister Amit Shah's visit, roads were empty as the administration has imposed a curfew in Manipur on May 29, 2023. Photo: The Wire

Imphal (Manipur): Ahead of Union home minister Amit Shah’s visit on May 29 (today), Manipur appears to be on the edge with protesters burning tyres in the middle of the road in Imphal and shots being fired in the night in some places.

On May 28, Sunday, The Wire’s Yaqut Ali visited Churachandpur, the district where at least 13 people were killed in mob violence that lasted for two days.

(The Wire was able to confirm two cases of death due to the violence that erupted on May 3 evening. The Sangai Express published from Imphal put the number of dead in different parts of the state between May 3 and 4 at 11.)

The people in Churachandpur told The Wire that they were not happy with the Biren Singh government. In fact, the reporter could hear sounds of firing from the hotel where he stayed the night.

Ahead of Union home minister Amit Shah’s visit, roads were empty as the administration has imposed a curfew in Manipur on May 29, 2023. Photo: The Wire

The people belonging to the Meitei community told The Wire that want the Indian Army be sent back from their area.

The north-eastern border state has seen large-scale violence between the tribal and non-tribal communities that sprung out of a march organised on May 3 in different hill districts by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM). The march was in opposition to granting ST status to the state’s majority community, the Meiteis.

Here’s are some vignettes from The Wire team on how’s life in Manipur before Shah lands in the state.

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