The Times of Israel has on Friday reported that at least one member of the Kuki Jewish community had been killed while 10 others were missing in the ethnic violence prevailing in the State of Manipur. The deceased from the Bnei Menashe community was a father of four, it said.

Two synagogues were burnt down, and one Torah scroll was torched, The Times of Israel also stated.

It further said that the Foreign Ministry has said that it is keeping a close watch on the situation in India’s northeastern state.

These developments have come up just ahead of Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen’s three-day visit to India from May 9 to 11. India and Israel are expected to sign several Memorandum of Understanding to boost bilateral trade with a focus on agritech, energy, tourism and healthcare during his visit.

Cohen will also be inaugurating a “Jewish trail” in Mumbai. Under this initiative, important Jewish monuments in Mumbai and Maharashtra have been identified and will be opened to tourists around the world.

There are about 90,000 Indian Jews living in Israel drawn from four communities – Bene Israel, Cochinis, Baghdadis and Bnei Menashe (from Manipur and Mizoram).

The Bnei Menashe, meaning “Sons of Manasseh”, claim descent from one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, who were sent into exile by the Assyrian Empire more than 27 centuries ago. More than 5,000 Bnei Menashe community members have immigrated to Israel from north-eastern India, and another 5,000 are said to be waiting for their turn to immigrate to the Jewish state.

(With inputs from The Times of Israel and PTI)

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