The Manipur Government on August 7 ordered the replacement of Assam Rifles from one of the several check posts on the Churachandpur-Bishnupur boundary, an area that has seen frequent clashes and violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities, the latest one on August 5 when five persons were killed.
Bishnupur district, dominated by people of the Meitei community, borders Churachandpur district to the south, which is dominated by the Kuki-Zomi people.
This is the same area that saw tensions escalate between personnel of the State police and Central forces days ago as well; even as Meitei groups accuse Central forces of siding with Kuki-Zomi people and the Kuki-Zomi people resist the presence of State police, citing equally deep mistrust.