Deadly violence flares in India’s Manipur state ahead of Modi no-confidence vote

At least six people were killed as violence again erupted in the state, and police say they are raiding areas for arms and ammunition stolen from armouries

Clashes between minority tribal groups and Meitei Hindus over affirmative action policies left 150 people dead since May, and women have suffered sexual assault

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Security officers stand guard as demonstrators protest against mass burial of Kuki-Zomi people killed in Manipur’s ethnic violence. Photo: AFP

Published: 7:37pm, 6 Aug 2023Updated: 9:21pm, 6 Aug 2023

At least six people were killed and armouries were looted as conflict erupted again in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur ahead of a no-confidence motion on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government for failing to contain earlier clashes.

There were day-long violence between two ethnic groups and attacks on security personnel on Saturday, according to a social media post by the Manipur police and local reports. Police say they are raiding areas to recover arms and ammunition stolen from the armouries.

Clashes between minority tribal groups and majority Meitei Hindus over affirmative action policies have left more than 150 people dead since May.

A video last month surfaced on social media showing two women getting sexually assaulted, drawing attention and public anger to the ethnic conflict in the state ruled by Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. That pushed Modi to make his first public comments on the clashes that has engulfed relatively remote Manipur, which borders Myanmar.

Opposition parties used the video incident to lodge a no-confidence motion against the government in parliament. The government is expected to discuss and reply on the motion from August 8-10.

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Mass protests in India over Manipur sexual assault case

The no confidence vote doesn’t pose a threat to the government because of its overwhelming majority in the lower house of parliament, but the debate will offer an opportunity to the opposition to corner it on sensitive issues such as women’s safety ahead of crucial upcoming elections.