A village in Manipur that was severely affected by last year's ethnic strife faced a fresh attack on Tuesday night, escalating fears of a violent backlash against the government's ongoing initiative to resettle displaced individuals.
Night of Terror in Torbung
Unidentified attackers targeted Torbung village in the Bishnupur district of Manipur. The assault, which involved the hurling of bombs, lasted for approximately 20 minutes starting from 8:40 pm. According to police reports, no casualties or injuries to residents were recorded during this alarming incident.
Background of Tension and Official Response
The local community had been apprehensive about potential violence since the commencement of the state administration's campaign to resettle people displaced by the 2023 ethnic bloodletting. Torbung village itself had borne a significant brunt of the conflict last year.
Earlier on the same day as the attack, Manipur Director General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Singh conducted a security review in the neighbouring Churachandpur district. The meeting involved multiple security agencies. DGP Singh also engaged in discussions with representatives from various community groups during his visit.
Opposition to the Resettlement Plan
The resettlement drive has met with opposition from certain factions. These groups argue that the central government should focus its efforts on creating a separate administration for the hill districts as a priority, rather than pushing forward with the current resettlement plan. This underlying political demand is a key factor contributing to the heightened tensions in the region.
Tuesday night's attack on Torbung is seen as a direct consequence of these simmering disagreements, stoking concerns about the challenges in restoring lasting peace and normalcy to Manipur.
