New Delhi— Manipur on Fire: Eyewitness to Ethnic Strife and Survival by Rajan Chaudhary weaves together stories that expose the harsh realities of one of the most harrowing ethnic conflicts in India's recent history. Published by Notion Press, the book offers a firsthand account of the violence that erupted in the summer of 2023 in Manipur, presenting a deeply human narrative of the struggles and challenges faced by tribal communities in its aftermath.

Rajan Chaudhary, Assistant Editor at The Mooknayak, has drawn from his extensive ground reporting on the Manipur violence to bring to light the silenced voices of devastated communities. Through this book, he seeks to share untold stories that remain largely unknown beyond the state’s borders. The book is available on Amazon, Flipkart, and Notion Press Bookstore.

At the beginning of Manipur on Fire, the author recounts the harrowing and tense journey he undertook to report on the Manipur violence, traveling from Lucknow to Dimapur, Nagaland, and then to the volatile epicenter in Manipur. With limited resources and no security, he faced physical hardships, extortion, and armed interrogations as he navigated dangerous paths to reach his destination.

The book seeks to document the experiences of the displaced, the injured, and grieving families. Beyond the headlines, Manipur on Fire immerses readers in the lives of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances. It vividly portrays individuals such as Khaidam Subhash, whose hopes of building a home are shattered by the violence, and Lamwah Touthang, who gives birth to a child in a relief camp while grappling with the challenges of displacement. Shortly after her daughter’s birth, she has no clean cloth to wrap the newborn, as her home and belongings were destroyed in the violence. Each story in this book carries an emotional weight that numbers alone cannot convey.

The book offers a poignant and vivid depiction of women’s resilience. From their struggles to secure food and medicine to the experiences of pregnant women enduring dire conditions in relief camps, the stories spotlight the disproportionate burden borne by women and children during times of conflict.

Manipur on Fire meticulously captures the stark division of the state, where communities are split along ethnic lines. A key section focuses on Muslim drivers who act as neutral intermediaries between the Kuki and Meitei regions, shedding light on the fragile socio-political fabric of the area.

The author illuminates the enduring humanitarian crises plaguing the region. From a lack of healthcare services to disruptions in education, the book documents the long-term consequences of ethnic strife. Children clinging to the hope of normalcy, families mourning their losses, and communities advocating for separate administrations paint a picture of unrelenting tension.

Manipur on Fire is not merely an account of events; it is a call for accountability and justice. The stories compel readers to confront uncomfortable truths and question the narratives promoted by mainstream media.

For journalists, historians, policymakers, and empathetic readers, this book offers a crucial perspective on the ethnic conflict in Manipur and the indomitable spirit of its people. Since its release on December 30 on e-commerce platforms, the book has sparked significant interest. According to the author, within just one day of publication, over a dozen copies of Manipur on Fire were ordered by readers.