NEW DELHI : Union tribal affairs minister Jual Oram has addressed the prolonged ethnic conflict in Manipur, describing it as a “law and order problem”.

Oram said that the “law and order problem” in Manipur is being currently managed by the ministry of home affairs (MHA). The unrest in Manipur, particularly in the Jiribam district, has seen renewed violence since June 06, forcing many residents to seek refuge in Assam.

Oram said that the MHA and the Manipur government are working towards addressing the crisis in the Northeast state.  “The problem is a law and order situation, which is a state subject. This is being handled by the home ministry, in coordination with the state government and the Governor there,” Oram said.

Notably, this is for the first time that a union tribal affairs minister has publicly commented on the conflict between the valley-based Meitei people and the hill-dwelling Kuki-Zo.  The strife has resulted in over 220 deaths, thousands of injuries, and widespread displacement in the Manipur.

The recent surge in violence in Jiribam, a district that had remained relatively peaceful, has heightened tensions across Manipur. The discovery of a Meitei farmer’s body led to a flare-up, with incidents of arson and abduction reported.

Consequently, more than 1000 individuals from the Meitei, Kuki-Zo, and Hmar communities have been displaced from their villages.