"People Are Becoming Monsters": Students Appeal For Calm As Manipur Violence Escalates

Schools were ordered shut from Saturday in the violence-hit Manipur after a rocket attack by insurgents killed a civilian and wounded six others. Fighting broke out in the northeastern state more than a year ago between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community. The conflict has simmered since then, splitting previously cohabitating communities along ethnic lines. A local government notice said all schools in the state would be closed on Saturday, when classes are usually held, to protect the "safety of the students and teachers". Students said efforts must me made to stop this war as it is turning people into monsters.