New Delhi — In a significant endorsement of independent, ground-level journalism, Manipur on Fire: Eyewitness to Ethnic Strife and Survival, a book authored by The Mooknayak journalist Rajan Chaudhary, has been recognized as an authoritative source by international academic journals. As the ethnic conflict in Manipur enters the new year 2026 with sporadic violence continuing, Chaudhary's work is serving as a critical historical record for researchers globally.

The book, translated into English by senior journalist Geeta Sunil Pillai, provides a harrowing, firsthand account of the violence that erupted on May 3, 2023, offering a "street-level view" often missed by mainstream narratives.

"A Treasure Trove of Insights": Journal of Contemporary Asia

In a review published online on June 20, 2025, the prestigious Journal of Contemporary Asia (Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group) hailed Chaudhary’s work as a "key record of ethnic conflict coverage". The review, authored by Haokholal Kipgen of the University of Hyderabad, emphasizes that the book "stands as a key record... providing a street-level view of one of the worst internal conflicts in modern India".

The journal praises Chaudhary for amplifying the voices of survivors rather than relying on complex theories. It notes that his reporting "tells a different story than official government reports and tepid news stories". Specific highlights from the review include:

• Authenticity: The author's visits to relief camps and ruined homes make the account "real and trustworthy".

• Human Resilience: The book captures the struggles of pregnant women in relief camps and children yearning to return to school despite their homes being burnt.

• Challenging Narratives: Chaudhary's documentation of the Kuki village of Muolvaiphei challenges the "outsider" narrative often used against the community.

The review concludes that for anyone studying Northeast India or ethnic conflict, the book is a "treasure trove of insights".

Cited as Evidence in International Research

Further validifying the book's academic weight, the International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews (Vol 6, Issue 8, August 2025) cited Manipur on Fire in its study titled "Between Hills and Valleys: The Meitei - Kuki Conflict in Manipur".

In their literature review, authors Dr. Sharmistha Rakshit and Sneha Debbarma rely on Chaudhary’s work to offer "a firsthand account of the recent ethnic violence". The study uses the book to highlight:

• Lived Experiences: The intensity of clashes, destruction of homes, and mass displacement.

• State Failure: The "inadequate state response and delayed intervention" that worsened the crisis.

• Social Breakdown: How fear and deep-rooted prejudice have fueled the conflict and destroyed social harmony.

Context: A Conflict That Continues

The recognition of Manipur on Fire comes at a crucial time. The violence, which stems from deep-rooted tensions over land rights, identity, and the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, has left deep scars on the state. Since May 2023, hundreds of lives have been lost, thousands of houses burned, and over 60,000 people displaced.

While government figures confirm the vandalism of 386 religious structures and the deployment of central forces, critics—and Chaudhary's book—argue that the response was often "reactive rather than preventive". As we move into 2026, the inclusion of The Mooknayak's reporting in global academic discourse underscores the vital role of independent journalism in documenting history where it happens, ensuring that the stories of the marginalized are not erased.

About the Author

Rajan Chaudhary is a journalist at The Mooknayak. His book, Manipur on Fire, was originally written in Hindi and translated into English to reach a wider audience.