Manipur On The Brink Again: Fresh Killings Trigger Protests & Fears Of Renewed Ethnic Violence

Fresh violence has pushed Manipur back into crisis mode, with at least four deaths reported in the last 24 hours and fears growing that old ethnic fault lines could once again erupt into a major confrontation. According to reports, three people were killed and several others injured after suspected militants attacked individuals from the valley region who had reportedly gone to collect firewood near the sensitive valley-hill boundary. The attack triggered outrage across the Imphal Valley. In dramatic scenes, angry protesters carried the bodies of victims to the official residence of Chief Minister Khamnam Singh, attempting to leave them outside the heavily-guarded compound. Security forces responded with tear gas and force to disperse the crowd.