No fewer than 55 people have been killed in the ethnic violence that broke out in the Indian state of Manipur.
According to sources, about 260 people have been hospitalised since the violence began between members of the Kuki and Meitei ethnic group on Thursday.
Hospitals officials in the city of Imphal told reporters on Sunday stressing that the two groups have been clashing in the streets of Imphal in India’s east.
Gunshot wounds are the most common injury, according to officials at Imphal hospitals the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences and Churachandpur District Hospital.
“Most of the patients are coming in with severe bullet injuries or having been hit in the head with lathis [sticks],” said Dr Mang Hatzow of Churachandpur District Hospital in Manipur.
Video and photos broadcast on local television showed vehicles and buildings set on fire, with thick black smoke billowing from the streets.
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Meanwhile, Indian army troops have been deployed to the streets and a five-day mobile internet blackout is in force.
The reports also emerged that the state government of Manipur and the Indian army have not commented on the crisis.
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Earlier this week the state’s governor, Anusuiya Uikey, issued “shoot-at-sight” orders in an effort to bring the situation under control.
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