Nine Killed In Fresh Ethnic Clashes In India’s Northeast

Officials said rival ethnic groups fired at each other in fresh violence in India’s remote northeast that left at least nine people dead and some injured. It is the latest incident in weeks of violence that was sparked by long-standing ethnic tensions

A police officer said nine bodies were found early today and three people have been reported missing. At least 100 people have been killed in clashes in Manipur state since May 3, and thousands of homes have been burned and shops vandalized.

Authorities have moved nearly 40,000 people from troubled areas to safer places..

The violence started last month after protests by more than 50,000 Kukis and members of other predominantly Christian tribal communities in Churachandpur and adjoining districts in Manipur state.

They oppose the majority Meitei Hindu community’s demand for a special status that would give them benefits including the right to farm on forest land, cheap bank loans, and health and educational facilities, as well as a specified quota of government jobs.