US human rights report mentions abuses in Manipur, Hardeep Nijjar killing

The United States, in its 2023 Human Rights Report, highlighted "significant" abuses in Manipur following the outbreak of ethnic conflict in May 2023. Released by the US State Department, the report also mentioned the raids by tax authorities on UK-based broadcaster BBC and cases of transnational repression like the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

While India has not yet responded, the External Affairs Ministry has previously said such reports by the US were based on "misinformation and flawed understanding". Last year, the MEA said the report was based on "motivated and biased commentary by some US officials".

On Manipur, the report mentioned that at least 175 persons were killed and more than 60,000 displaced due to ongoing conflict. Since May last year, Manipur has been rocked by ethnic violence between the majority Meiteis, who live in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zo tribal community.

"Activists and journalists reported armed conflict, rapes, and assaults in addition to the destruction of homes, businesses, and places of worship. The government deployed security forces, implemented daily curfews, and internet shutdowns in response to the violence," the report said.

The report also mentioned that the Indian government's response had been criticised for its "ineffectiveness", with the Supreme Court pointing out the failure to halt the violence.