New violence against two ethnic groups sparked in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, reportedly killing 54 people, displacing 23,000 more, and burning at least 25 churches, reigniting tensions that terrorized the state for decades.

An internet blackout has reportedly been imposed in India’s Manipur state after homes belonging to tribal villagers were set on fire.

The violence followed a protest by tribal groups against special status being given to the majority Meitei community in the BJP-ruled state pic.twitter.com/PCIUT0hyUJ

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) May 4, 2023

Thousands of soldiers have been sent to Manipur to quell the unrest, which emerged from a protest by the Kuki tribal group in the Churachandpur district against plans to designate the more dominant Meitei tribe as a “scheduled tribe.”

Aside from sending military units to the state, the army said it “significantly enhanced” its surveillance of areas affected by the violence by deploying helicopters and drones. Authorities also imposed an Internet blackout throughout Manipur, enforced a curfew in nine of the 16 districts, and issued “shoot-at-sight” orders in “extreme cases” to stamp out unrest in the region.

Shoot at Sight order by the Government of Manipur. @ndtvfeed @BBCBreaking @PMOIndia @UN #ManipurOnFire pic.twitter.com/FOyS98IzaI

— Sianging SG (@Sianging8) May 4, 2023

N. Biren Singh, Manipur’s chief minister, said the conflict arose due to a “prevailing misunderstanding between two communities” and added that the government pledged to protect “the lives and property of all our people.”

“We should not allow the culture of communal harmony in the state to be disturbed by vested interests,” Singh also said. He added that his government plans to tackle the community’s “long-term grievances.”

The tensions stem from a longstanding conflict between the dominant Hindu Meitei (Manipuri) tribe and the minority Christian Naga and Kuki tribes, fuelled further by rising Hindu nationalism among the Meitei.

Burning of Tribals Churches in the heart of Imphal by the meetei community supported by the police. It is directly attack to our constitutional rights and everything is Pre-plan. pic.twitter.com/HbZWroQsfU

— Jacob HAOKIP (@seiboi24584) May 4, 2023

The Meitei are primarily based in the plains, though they also have a presence in the hills. The Naga and Kuki comprise around 40% of Manipur’s population and mainly reside in the hills and forests.

This is Manipur meitei community houses burned down by Kukis militants.. pic.twitter.com/ZHjyUrGYK4

— Asem Binita (@AsemBinita96707) May 4, 2023

The violence began when the Manipur High Court demanded the state government to respond to the Meitei community’s calls to be recognized as a “Scheduled Tribe” last month. Groups with this constitutionally recognized designation are given protections and privileges.

“It is an affirmative action to ensure marginalized communities are represented and gives them reservations and quotas in educational institutions and government jobs,” Arunabh Saikia, a journalist from Scroll who covers India’s northeastern region, said regarding the Scheduled Tribe designation.

The misguided demand for ST status among Meitei community, the systemic abuse of government machinery, the despotic declaration of reserved forests and eviction of indigenous tribal villages must all stop! #TribalUnity #ManipurOnFire pic.twitter.com/ZOQMpWYsY0

— Tawna Valte (@valtetawna) May 3, 2023

However, the Naga and Kuki tribes oppose the move as they believe the designation will infringe on their rights as marginalized communities. They also think the Meitei are already dominant in Manipur and “call the shots in state politics.” The calls to designate the Meitei as a “Scheduled Tribe” also raised fears that it would give them the right to own land in the hills and forests, areas where the Naga and Kuki have a considerable presence.

While the tensions between the Meitei and other minority tribes in Manipur emerged on ethnic lines, the conflict is also becoming religious, as Hindu nationalism is growing among the predominantly Hindu Meitei, and churches were burned during the violence.

Burning of churches continue in Manipur even as @NBirenSingh led govt remain mute spectator. All this is happening in the heart of Imphal city. No guess who sponsored the carnage.#ManipurOnFire #manipurisburning@ashoswai @narendramodi @AmitShah @manaman_chhina pic.twitter.com/hYmxAtPGxz

— kakai_kips (@vanglen_pa) May 4, 2023