On the night of July 31, around 9 pm, a fire destroyed 17 houses in Zomi Villa, a multicultural neighbourhood in the Imphal West district of Manipur. While the police claim that the fire began due to a short circuit, not everyone is convinced. Zomi Villa has been a multicultural neighbourhood for years, with residents from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. Among the residents are Muslims, Hindus, Nepalis, Meiteis and Kukis. Because of the ongoing ethnic clashes in the state, which began on May 3, locals say the feeling of harmony has eroded and tensions have risen. The fire on July 31 began in homes belonging to Kukis and spread to nearby houses where people from Bihar live.
To know more watch this report by The Wire‘s Yaqut Ali.