Months of increasingly violent ethnic clashes have put northeast India on edge

Burned remains of cars, which were torched by an angry mob during an attack in Imphal, Manipur. (Aakash Hassan)

IMPHAL, India — In India's northeastern state of Manipur, a months-long ethnic clash has turned into a political battleground. Rahul Gandhi, India's main opposition leader, who was on a two-day visit to the region last week, said he was pained to see the situation and people suffering.

"I came here because I wanted to share the pain of the people of Manipur. It is a horrible tragedy that has taken place," the Congress party leader said on Friday.