The 1993 Manipur riots refer to the Hindu-Muslim riot followed by the large-scale deaths of Meitei pangals (Meitei Muslim) and the Hindu Meitei on 3rd May 1993 with the issue of land disputes and fear of Bengali Muslim influx.

Now this time also again on May 3rd, 2023 the curfew was announced all of a sudden in the evening giving a tense situation for all. Was it a coincidence by chance or was it meant to be at the same time?

Sources clearly state that it is not due to ST demand but it all started after the state government’s drive on poppy destruction.

According to some sources after the tension erupted some locals from Churchandpur District have been brought safely to some rescue shelters at Imphal East and Imphal West. On the other hand, some were seen coming in loaded trucks and buses waiting inside the airport for flights to “flee” to other states for their security.

The locals staying near the airport have expressed their insecurity about seeing such a huge number of people inside the airport.

One woman said,’ Where will we run in this curfew again? What if something happens inside the airport? We are very near to this place!’

The first village area which was first affected by the communal violence done by the Kuki militants was the people living in the Torbung Bangla area, on 3rd May during the Tribal Solidarity March.

According to a local newspaper, it was reported 1000 tribals armed with sticks and some sophisticated firearms started attacking from nowhere in Torbung Bangla and Torbung Govindpur area. Later they proceed to Kangvai and Phougakchou for further destruction.

According to sources those people who flee their village are now kept in a community hall. Around about 600 are now clubbing in without electricity in this heat.

Later in the evening, 500 Meitei were safely brought back to Imphal.