A police official stated that at least two people were killed and dozens injured in Manipur, northeastern India, after security forces opened fire on a crowd in the Churachandpur area late Thursday night, amid ongoing violence there. Nearly 200 people have died since violent clashes erupted in May between the Meitei community, which constitutes the majority, and the minority Kuki community in the state bordering Myanmar over the sharing of economic benefits and quotas granted to the two tribes. Thousands are displaced in relief camps. Churachandpur, home to the Kuki-Zo community, was among the first areas in the state to experience ethnic clashes when violence first broke out in May.
Violence renewed on Thursday after local police ordered the suspension of a Kuki officer following allegations of photos with armed individuals circulating on social media. About 400 people stormed the office of the district police chief around 7:30 PM (14:00 GMT), demanding the reversal of the order. The crowd attacked the complex housing the police chief's office and the district administration in the heart of the city. An official, who asked not to be named, stated that security forces initially fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowd and then "resorted to firing." The official added that around 25 people were injured and receiving treatment in the hospital. Authorities have suspended mobile internet services in Churachandpur for the next five days.
