The US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, expressed deep concern over the escalating ethnic conflict in Manipur, which has resulted in ongoing violence. Garcetti stated that the United States is prepared to offer assistance, if requested, emphasizing that their offer stems from humanitarian grounds rather than strategic concerns. He emphasized that one does not have to be an Indian to care about the loss of lives and the suffering caused by such violence, underscoring the importance of peace as a catalyst for progress.
Garcetti highlighted the significant progress made in the northeast and east regions of India and reiterated the US’s readiness to assist in any way possible if called upon. However, his statement received a sharp response from Congress MP Manish Tewari, who argued that India does not appreciate external interference in its internal matters. Tewari compared the situation to gun violence in the US and racial riots, emphasizing that India has never lectured the US on how to address these issues.
Tewari described the situation in Manipur as tragic and criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting the state and addressing the ongoing violence. He further urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to visit the state continuously until normalcy is restored. Tewari stated that the Congress party intends to raise the issue in Parliament.
Unidentified gunmen claim teenager’s life in Manipur amid escalating violence
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a teenager was fatally shot by unidentified gunmen in Manipur’s Bishnupur district during the early hours of Friday. Police reported that the gunmen fired indiscriminately at the Phoubakchao locality, and the teenager was hit by a bullet while attempting to seek cover. Following the incident, angry locals, predominantly women, took to the streets in Moirang to express their outrage at the firing.
Officials revealed that the firing originated between two groups of armed men in Awang Leikei and Kangwai, located in the Churachandpur district near Phoubakchao, around 1:30 am. After a temporary lull, intermittent firing resumed from 11:30 am, prompting senior police officials to assess the situation in Kangwai.
To restore peace and normalcy, approximately 40,000 central security personnel, in addition to the Manipur Police, have been deployed in the state. Manipur’s population consists of Meiteis, who account for around 53 percent and reside primarily in the Imphal Valley, while tribal Nagas and Kukis constitute another 40 percent and live in the hill districts.