India’s federal government on Sunday ordered the chief minister of Manipur state to “work harder” to restore peace as inter-ethnic violence has not subsided for more than 50 days despite a heavy security presence.
“The home minister has advised me to work harder to restore lasting peace in Manipur,” said N. Biren Singh, chief minister of the northeastern state, after being summoned to New Delhi for talks with home minister Amit Shah. Shah and Singh both belong to the same political party.
At least 80 people have been killed and more than 40,000 forced from their homes after clashes broke out between rival ethnic groups in Manipur on May 3.
Violence between members of the Kuki ethnic group, who mostly live in the hills, and the Meiteis, the dominant community in the lowlands, erupted over opposition to economic benefits and quotas in government jobs and education reserved for mountain people.
Several rounds of peace talks between the groups have failed, and sporadic incidents of violence and arson continue to deepen the crisis in a state ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political party.
Human rights groups say Modi’s government and party have failed to do more to end ethnic tensions.
“I have been asked to further open channels of communication with all stakeholders so that we are able to bring lasting peace in the state,” Singh said.
The Manipur government on Sunday extended the state’s internet ban for another five days till 30.
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