Manipur militants target non-locals

Guwahati: Militant violence in Manipur continues; armed outfits have now warned transport companies in Guwahati to stop issuing tickets to non-Manipuris.

"We have been instructed not to send any non-Manipuris, who comprise 50 per cent of our passengers," said Nanda Kumar Singh, assistant manager at ZET Travels. "It is hampering our business, but we have decided not to issue tickets to non-locals. Anything can happen to them en route," explained Bijon Singh, in charge of Capital Travels.

Militants shot dead another non-local on Saturday. Madan, as he was locally known, used to supply bakery products to shops in West Imphal's Sagolband area.

Close to thirty non-Manipuris were killed this year alone. The dangerous began in 2007, with the murders of non-local labourers, street vendors and small shop owners. The statistics are:

• 2007: 7 killed, 3 injured
• 2008: 18 killed, 7 injured
• 2009: 28 killed, 6 injured

Killing non-locals is not an isolated feature in Manipur's story of violence. Almost four hundred locals have also died in militant related violence in 2009. Though it is a police state, the militants call the shots. Abduction is almost routine, and ransom threats are part of daily life.