At least 55 people have died as a result of violence that broke out among members of the Indian Kuki and Meitei ethnic groups in the Indian state of Manipur and there are also 260 wounded hospitalized and 23 thousand displaced, writes CNN.
The two ethnic groups have clashed in the streets of Imphal in eastern India and elsewhere since the beginning of last week. An internet blackout has been going on for five days and the authorities have deployed the army.
The clashes began after thousands of people took part in a demonstration organized by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur, against the potential inclusion of the Meitei ethnic group in the "Scheduled Tribe": this inclusion would entail access for the Meitei community, which constitutes about 50% of the state's population, in the list of programmed tribes giving access to benefits such as health, education and government jobs. Other tribes fear that this inclusion will result in job losses and other benefits for members of their ethnic groups.
According to hospital and Indian army officials, there are also 23,<> displaced civilians who have fled the fighting because of ethnic violence.
"Most patients arrive with severe bullet wounds or have been hit in the head with sticks," Dr. Mang Hatzow of Churachandpur District Hospital in Manipur told CNN. Videos and photos broadcast by local television showed vehicles and buildings set on fire. Indian army troops have been deployed in the streets and a five-day mobile internet blackout is in place.