NEW DELHI, May 29 (Xinhua) -- At least five people, including a policeman, were killed and 12 others injured in fresh violence that hit India's northeastern state of Manipur, local media reported on Monday.
The violence erupted in several parts of the state on Sunday amid incidents of arson in Serou and Sugnu areas.
Large-scale violence broke out in the state earlier this month during a tribal protest demonstration over the inclusion of the non-tribal Meitei community for a Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
According to the New Delhi-based television news channel NDTV, the ethnic clashes have so far claimed at least 80 lives. Nearly 300 people were injured and close to 1,700 houses were burnt down.
Authorities responded by imposing a curfew, and the fresh violence in the state broke out during the relaxation in the curfew period.
The violence came ahead of the scheduled four-day visit of India's federal Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah to the state, starting from next Monday, according to India's state-run broadcaster All India Radio (AIR).
The minister will hold several rounds of security meetings to assess the situation and plan steps to restore normalcy in the state. ■
