Imphal:

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday said no one expected that a rally against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status would lead to violent attacks.

Singh’s remarks came months after ethnic clashes broke out in the northeastern state in May last year, killing more than 200 people. Private and government property was also destroyed.

The violence began on May 3, 2023, after the All Tribal Students’ Union of Manipur (ATSUM) organized a rally to condemn the demands of the Meitei community.

Speaking at a government program at Lamlai in Imphal East district, he said, “When ATSUM decided to hold a rally against the Meiteis’ demand for ST status, there were no reports of any ulterior design on the part of a section.” The chief minister said, Everyone has the right to express their opinions through assembly.

“However, no one believes that the rally will lead to violence,” he said.

Mr. Singh said the rally started around 9.30 pm and within an hour, a forest office in Churachandpur was set on fire at 10.30 pm. He said a driver was also attacked and other houses were subsequently targeted.

“However, there are no reports of such violence from Naga-populated areas like Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Senapati. We need to know who wants to destroy Manipur,” the chief minister said.

As the government wants to protect the people, security personnel have been deployed in almost all vulnerable areas, he said, adding that the entire country is supporting Manipur.

“All are people of the state. Illegal immigrants coming in and new villages being established by them is what we want. We are not against the original villages and people. Poppy cultivation should also be stopped. We don’t need to forget the Centre’s support,” he said .

At least 219 people have been killed in ethnic clashes in the state since May last year. Violence broke out on May 3 after a “tribal unity march” was organized in the hills to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The Meiteis make up about 53% of Manipur’s population and live mainly in the Imphal Valley, while tribes including Nagas and Kukis make up 40% and live mainly in the mountains.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)