Violence in Manipur was not on the basis of religion, US-based think tank explained the reasons for increasing tension

A US-based think tank has claimed in its report that the violence in Manipur was not on the basis of religion. The think tank has said in its report that mistrust among tribes, fear of economic impacts, drugs, militancy and historical events are responsible for the violence. Explain that the think tank Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) focused on India has prepared this report. The report also states that foreign interference in the violence in Manipur cannot be ruled out.

The report said that both the Manipur government and the central government have deployed all their resources to restore peace and relief in the state. Significantly, the report states that religious polarization exists among the tribes of Manipur, but evidence of religious-based violence has not been found. FIIDS in its report claimed that the Manipur violence was caused by tribal divisions and historical mistrust and animosity between tribes.

The report of the think tank said that many extremist and fundamentalist organizations have got a chance to re-activate from this violence. Drug mafias that grow opium and heroin funded this violence and foreign interference cannot be ruled out. The think tank gave this information by issuing a press release on Thursday. The report noted that there has been a decline in violence and sit-in demonstrations in recent weeks, but mistrust among people still exists. Displaced people are still not comfortable returning to their respective homes.

According to FIIDS, peace-building requires dialogue, trust-building between communities, and relief and rehabilitation. FIIDS says that this report will be shared with US policy makers and other think tanks. Let us tell you that protests had started in Manipur against the demand of giving tribal reservation to the majority Meitai community. Violence broke out on May 3, in which more than 100 people have died and thousands have been displaced. The report also states that during the Manipur violence, fake news and videos were circulated on social media, which also fueled the violence.