In a disturbing escalation of ethnic violence in Manipur’s volatile Jiribam district, a 31-year-old woman was killed in a night raid on her village. The autopsy report, released after an examination at Silchar Medical College in neighboring Assam, describes extensive injuries, including broken bones and a “burnt and separated” skull. Her body was 99 percent burnt, with certain parts, including her limbs and face, reported as “completely charred and unrecognizable.”
Details of the Brutal Attack
According to her husband’s police complaint, suspected Meitei militants stormed their home, allegedly assaulting the woman before setting the structure ablaze. A school teacher and mother of three, she was found with multiple injuries, including a gunshot wound to her leg, before succumbing to burns that covered nearly her entire body surface area. In a further discovery, a metallic nail was found embedded in her thigh.
The autopsy, however, could not confirm any sexual assault due to the severe charring of her body. Following the autopsy, the family buried her body in keeping with last rites.
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Ethnic Tensions and Recent Clashes
The attack, which took place in Zairawn village—a Hmar tribe settlement near the Assam border—sparked new rounds of violence in Manipur’s already tense environment. The ongoing ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities has left over 220 dead and displaced nearly 50,000 people, with numerous villages burned to the ground.
The woman’s death came just days before another incident in Jiribam, where 10 suspected Kuki insurgents were killed in an encounter with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Kuki civil society groups have called for an investigation, claiming the men were village volunteers rather than militants. However, police released photographs showing recovered weaponry, including a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher and assault rifles, disputing the claim that these could have been in the possession of village volunteers.
ALSO READ: 2 Meitei men killed in Manipur’s tension-hit Jiribam district, 10 missing from camp
Ethnic Divide: Meitei and Kuki Tensions
The Meitei community, the largest ethnic group in the Manipur valley, is seeking Scheduled Tribe status, a move opposed by the Kuki community, who are predominant in the surrounding hill areas. The Kukis, who share ethnic links with the Chin people of Myanmar and Mizoram, are calling for a separate administration due to alleged discrimination and an uneven distribution of resources. The ongoing ethnic tension has resulted in widespread violence and humanitarian issues, with both communities suffering significant losses.
Ongoing Violence and National Implications
With violent episodes escalating, local civil society groups and community leaders are urging the government to take action to prevent further bloodshed. The situation highlights the complex socio-political landscape in Manipur and the urgent need for dialogue to address the grievances fuelling the conflict.
