MANIPUR: India has started to relax a curfew imposed in violence-hit Manipur, after 45 days of civil unrest in the north-east state, seeking to reduce anger spilling onto the streets and restore normalcy, authorities said on Sunday.

“We have decided to remove curfew from 5am until 5pm to enable residents to buy food, medicines, and other essentials,” said Diana Devi, a local government official based in the capital city of Imphal.

Manipur has experienced widespread violence since May 3, following protests by Indigenous communities sparked by resentment over economic benefits and quotas for government jobs and education reserved for Kukis, an ethnic group, who mostly live in the hills.

Latest official figures show 83 people killed, over 60,000 displaced in over a month

Meiteis, the dominant community in the lowlands of the state, who account for half of the state’s population, demand the extension of limited affirmative action quotas to them. But Kukis fear it would mean Meiteis would get a greater share in education and government jobs reserved for them.

On Thursday, a federal minister’s house was set on fire in Imphal. He hails from the majority Meitei community.

Leaders from the opposition party accused the Modi government of failing to contain the crisis in a state governed by his party.

“We believe that if the prime minister takes action, then peace in Manipur can be restored in 24 hours,” said Nimaichand Luwang, an opposition lawmaker in Manipur.

Latest federal home ministry records showed that 83 people were killed and over 60,000 residents displaced since May in the violence. Furthermore, civil society organisations from both communities have joined hands to tone down the violence. Representatives of the organistaions said that hundreds of people from their communities were injured and left homeless, which calls for action.

Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2023