Manipur Violence Ground Report: Children Yearning to Return Home & School Amidst Burnt Books, Uniforms

Imphal/Churachandpur— Three months after ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in May, the children who once attended school, college, and tuition are now confined to relief camps, their memories of education fading amid harsh conditions of insecurity, hunger, unemployment, and uncertainty.

An old boys' hostel near the IB Road District Hospital in Churachandpur district has been transformed into a makeshift relief camp by the Young Vaiphei Association (YVA). This hostel, situated in a tribal-dominated hilly area about 63 km from the capital Imphal, has seen better days. Despite its dilapidated condition, it now serves as a refuge, offering shelter from dust, thunderstorms, and rain to the displaced individuals.

On the second floor of this converted hostel, a group of girls huddles together in a corner. The presence of The Mooknayak team in the vicinity kindles a glimmer of hope in their hearts. For the first time in a long while, someone seems interested in addressing their concerns. As the team engages in discussions with some refugee tribal women in nearby rooms, their attention turns to these girls. Eager to share their experiences and hardships, these girls speak of their interrupted education and uncertain future.

These young girls, like so many others in similar situations, have been forced to put their education on hold. They have endured the trauma of fleeing their homes in the wake of violence, leaving behind not just their houses but also their school bags, books, and uniforms, all of which were lost to the flames of destruction.

One girl, a 13-year-old Class 7 student, tearfully recounted her ordeal. The violence erupted just as her exams were approaching, forcing her to abandon her education. Her family fled Utangpokpi village to save their lives, enduring a month in the forests. "Our houses were burned down. School bags, books, uniforms were burnt," she lamented, her fervent desire echoing through her tears: "I want to go back to my school again."

Sitting alongside her were Nengheikim, aged 16, and Chinneikim, aged 19, both Class 10 students. Their expressions conveyed the trauma they had endured. Words seemed inadequate to convey the depth of their experiences.

This crisis extends beyond these individual stories. The government has failed to provide a local education solution for these displaced children who were once attending school before the violence. With their houses razed to the ground, they face a daunting road ahead.

At the Rengkai Relief Camp in the Kuki-dominated Churachandpur district, 99 boys and 87 girls over the age of 17 grapple with the anguish of interrupted education. The YVA, in their commendable efforts, has set up over 100 relief camps across the district to aid those affected by the violence, Zerry one of the volunteers informs The Mooknayak. This staggering number underscores the sheer magnitude of tribal children who have been deprived of their education for months.

In this dire landscape, the story of Kailash, a 38-year-old resident running a small tea shop in Muolvaiphei Village in the tribal-dominated hills, brings into focus the harsh realities faced by these families. His two children, a daughter and a son, have been unable to attend school since May. His account reveals the difficulties they encounter in the aftermath of the violence, from skyrocketing prices of goods due to disrupted roads to their dire living conditions.

Kailash reveals, "The children had just completed one round of examinations when the school doors were abruptly closed. We've arranged for some tutoring to keep their studies alive." He also highlights the challenges of increased expenses due to the disruption of normal road access, making basic goods more costly. Kailash passionately expresses his concern over the ethnic violence and pleads for unity, emphasizing the need for government intervention.

The ethnic violence has inflicted a heavy toll on both the Kuki-zo minority tribal community and the Meitei majority community, causing not only social but also economic, educational, and ecological losses. Hundreds from both communities are stranded in relief camps. Yet, there's a stark contrast in the response; while Meitei children in the Valley have managed to secure local school admissions, the government has yet to extend a helping hand to Kuki children in the hills.

Imo Sharma, a retired government teacher living in the residential area of Naorem Thong, Imphal, shares his insights. He used to teach English and Social Studies to Class 10 students before the violence erupted. Regarding the education of affected children, he notes that while classes for Class 11 and 12 have recently resumed, nursery schools are yet to reopen. The presence of a significant number of army forces in the schools where these children used to study has contributed to this delay.

In the Moirang area, situated 45 km from the capital Imphal, the Khoyol Keithel Camp shelters a total of 269 IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons), predominantly from the Meitei community. Among them, 36 boys and 32 girls, aged between 1 and 12 years, have sought refuge in the camp since the outbreak of caste violence. Kumam Davidson, a dedicated relief camp volunteer at the age of 35, takes it upon himself to educate the youngest members of the camp, tirelessly teaching them within a room, assisted by fellow volunteers.

Laishram, another compassionate volunteer at the same relief camp, shared insights with The Mooknayak, revealing that nearly all the children from the relief camp attend a nearby school where they have secured free admission. The routine of these resilient children begins with school at 8 in the morning, concluding as they return to the relief camp by 3 in the afternoon.

A stark disparity emerges in this educational landscape – while children from the Meitei community living in proximity to their relief camps have been promptly admitted to nearby primary schools, their counterparts residing in the Kuki-dominated hill areas face an agonizing educational standstill. An anonymous employee from a social organization operating in Churachandpur district attributes this discrepancy to the ambivalence displayed by the Manipur government towards the Kuki community.

Speaking under the veil of anonymity, the female chairperson of the social organization lamented, "Before the country's independence, many villages were settled here in tribal-dominated Churachandpur. The government, however, neglected this area, labelling it as inhabited by illegal immigrants. While all the reputable colleges and institutions were established in Imphal, we were left with nothing here."

Max, a 28-year-old resident of the Konjengbam Relief Camp, once pursued his passion as a football player. Hailing from the Meitei community, Max attained education up to the 10th standard. His life took a tragic turn when his house in Churachandpur district was set ablaze by Kuki mobs during the violence. When questioned about his prospects of returning home, Max sighed, "What's the use of going back there? My home no longer stands, and I lack the means to rebuild it."

He continued to share the extent of his despair, "My entire life has been upended. In this tense atmosphere, there's no place to focus on my football preparations. My football club in Guwahati disbanded after a video, the infamous parade of naked cookie women, went viral. Even my tickets were cancelled simply because I belong to the Meitei community. With no internet for over three months, I can't find work, and I'm left without any money in hand. We've been living like this for months," Max concluded, his tone reflecting the desolation marking the end of his career.

Security Forces Occupy More Than Half of the State's Educational Institutions

The impact of the ongoing violence is evident in Manipur's educational landscape, with security forces now occupying more than half of the state's schools and colleges. Following the outbreak of caste violence, a significant deployment of security personnel in the state has reshaped the educational environment. These security forces have found their bases within the students' institutions, leaving the young learners with no alternatives for their studies. The suspension of internet services in the state for over three months has compounded their challenges.

In the aftermath of the May violence, approximately 125 companies representing various paramilitary forces, along with around 164 companies from the Indian Army and Assam Rifles, have been stationed in conflict zones and tension-laden areas across Manipur. Each company comprises roughly 120-135 employees, and army contingents number between 55-70 soldiers. This formidable security presence has left Manipur's students with limited options for their education, as their schools and colleges have been transformed into security bases amid a tumultuous period.

According to the list published on 30 September 2015 on the website of the Education Department of the Government of Manipur, There were a total of 54 government schools and colleges in the state from classes 1 to 5, classes 6 to 8 and classes 9 to 12. All these schools have been established in rural and urban areas. However, from then till today, after 8 years, there must have been a lot of growth in the said schools and colleges.