The Manipur Police announced Thursday that approximately 300-400 people attempted to storm the offices of the Superintendent of Police in response to the firing of an ethnic minority police officer, leading to the deployment of tear gas, as tensions hit an all time high among rival ethnic groups in the region.

The clashes erupted between rival ethnic groups in Churachandpur. This the latest in the ongoing tensions in the region between the Meitei and Kuki ethnic groups since the High Court of Manipur directed the state government to consider the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes list. Ethnic groups on the Scheduled Tribes list receive multiple government protections and benefits including reserved posts in government jobs and admissions to educational institutions. The Meitei ethnic group, which primarily resides in the valleys of Manipur, is the ethnic majority in the region, with the Kuki ethnic group, which primarily resides in the hills and mountains, being the ethnic minority.

Churachandpur, a flashpoint of ethnic violence last year, saw a recent escalation triggered by the suspension of a Kuki constable, leading to protests and violent clashes with security forces. In response to the escalating unrest, authorities have implemented a temporary suspension of mobile internet services in Churachandpur for five days.

After the incident, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), which represents several indigenous groups in the Manipur region, issued a stern warning to district police chief Shivanand Surve, demanding his removal within 24 hours, holding him accountable for the escalating tensions.

Since the beginning of January, multiple people have been killed, with dozens of others sustaining injuries.