NEW DELHI, Sept 17 (Askume) – The Indian government is holding talks to resolve the long-standing conflict between two ethnic communities in the northeastern state of Manipur, Home Minister Amit Shah said at a news conference on Tuesday.
Internet and mobile data services were restored last week in Manipur state, where student protests turned violent amid fresh fighting between the majority Meitei and minority Kuki groups, according to an official order .
“We are hopeful that we can control the situation (in Manipur),” Shah told reporters at an event marking the first 100 days of the third term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
“If the two sides (ethnic groups) are unable to reach an understanding, the problem will not be resolved,” Shah said, adding that the government has prepared a “road map” outlining a series of efforts in the coming days.
The Manipur government is led by Modi and Shah’s Bharatiya Janata Party.
The local government last week imposed a curfew in the Imphal Valley and surrounding areas and ordered government and private universities in the state bordering Myanmar to close for several days.
Under government orders, schools will reopen on Tuesday, but a partial curfew will remain in effect.
At least 225 people have been killed and nearly 60,000 displaced since clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities last year over sharing of economic benefits and government job and education quotas for the Kuki tribe.
