Ethnic strife frustrates peace efforts in India's Manipur state

Clashes over land, quotas have killed about 260, displaced some 60,000 since 2023

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BOROBEKRA, India - Gunmen seized six hostages this month while exchanging fire with troops in India's northeastern state of Manipur after a rocket-propelled grenade reduced vehicles and homes to charred hulks in the hilly district of Jiribam.

Ethnic clashes over land and quotas in education and government jobs have killed at least 258 people and displaced more than 60,000 since last year in the biggest law-and-order failure for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party, which rules the state.

Retaliatory fire by troops killed at least 10 gunmen in the Nov. 11 attack, which authorities blamed on the Hmar group among the ethnic Kuki minority, as a response to the prior burning of their village and the killing of one of their number.

"We want peace, but if they attack us, we have to defend ourselves," said Khuma Hmar, 55, an elder in the village of Zairawn, as he examined ash, burnt toys and bullet holes in the home of a 31-year-old Hmar woman who, authorities said, was shot, raped and set ablaze on Nov. 7.

Officials attributed the arson and killing to members of the state's majority Meitei ethnic group.

India's home ministry, which sent more troops to Manipur after the violence, did not respond to a request for comment.

Kukis and Meiteis have battled in Manipur's foothills since May 2023 over the prospect of welfare benefits for the mainly Christian Kukis, whom India categorises as disadvantaged, being extended to the mostly Hindu Meiteis.