175 Killed, 4,786 Homes Set Ablaze: Manipur Police Data Sheds Light On Scale Of Conflict

175 people have died, 1,118 people injured and 33 remain missing after ethnic violence broke out in the Northeastern state of Manipur since May, police say. Ninety-six bodies currently lie unclaimed. Ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur in May and violence has been simmering in the state for nearly four months. According to the data put out by the police, 5,172 cases of arson have been reported. 4,786 homes, 386 religious places have been set on fire. A total of 5,668 weapons have been looted from the state armory.

Security forces have managed to recover 1,329 of these weapons. Four hundred bombs and 15,050 ammunition have also been recovered. Security forces have destroyed at least 360 illegal bunkers in the state, according to the data.

On September 14, forces finally removed the barricades set up between the Phougakchao Ikhai and the Kangvai villages. The villages lie on the Imphal-Churachandpur road.

The barricades served as a "buffer zone" between the hills and the valley and was guarded by security forces so that the two ethnic communities in conflict do not engage in confrontation.

Meanwhile, the Manipur High Court has admitted a public interest litigation filed by the International Meiteis Forum. The plea seeks to quash a report published by the Editors' Guild of India on the ethnic violence in the state. The PIL has requested directions barring the use of the report by any agency or authority looking into the conflict.

Meiteis make up around 53% of the population of Manipur. A majority of Meiteis live in the Imphal Valley. The Kukis and the Nagas, both tribal groups, make up nearly 40% of the population, and live in the hill district.

Ethnic conflict raged in Manipur following a 'Tribal Solidarity March' in the state on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.