One Year of Manipur Violence: Life Anything But Normal, Residents Desperately Yearn for Peace

Imphal- It has been exactly one year since the outbreak of ethnic clashes that wreaked havoc in Manipur, one of the most beautiful states in northeastern region of India.

Despite the passage of time, sporadic incidents of violence continue to haunt the region. The initial eruption of conflict on May 3rd stemmed from tensions between the Kuki-Zo and the Meitei community, the latter being the predominant group in the state.

The gravity of the situation garnered international attention when a distressing event unfolded: two tribal Kuki women were shamefully paraded naked by a crowd from the Meitei community, with the disturbing footage spreading rapidly across various social media platforms.

What ensued was a tragic escalation of long-standing tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities, resulting in the loss of at least 52 lives within a span of three days. Shockingly, over the course of the following year, the death toll climbed significantly, with at least 226 individuals succumbing to the conflict. Among the deceased, twenty were women, tragically including eight children.

Regrettably, the situation remains dire to this day, with tensions persisting unabated between the two communities. Military camps dot the landscape of Manipur, a stark reminder of the ongoing instability and insecurity that grips the region.

Media reports on the clashes paint a grim picture, revealing staggering figures of human suffering: more than 1,500 individuals have been wounded, while approximately 60,000 people have been displaced within the state, leaving behind a trail of destruction that includes over 13,000 homes razed to the ground. Furthermore, the harrowing uncertainty persists for 28 individuals who are still missing, feared to have either been abducted or met a tragic fate.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), headquartered in the Kuki-dominated hills, marks the one-year anniversary of the Manipur violence as 'Kuki-Zo Awakening Day'. This solemn occasion saw mass prayers held in churches across the region during the first session, followed by a poignant gathering at the Martyr Cemetery in Sehken village for the second session.

Reflecting on the tumultuous year, Mansingh, a resident of Imphal, shared his observations with The Mooknayak. He noted a discernible shift in the mindset of the Meitei community, remarking on their newfound awareness regarding issues such as the Suspension of Operations (SoO), the Free Movement Regime (FMR), forest reservation policies, and the plight of illegal immigrants.

Notably, amidst this backdrop of social awakening, a promising candidate, Akoizam Bimol, emerged to contest elections under the Congress banner, embodying the aspirations of many.

Turning to the state of education, Mansingh pointed out that while most schools and colleges in the valley areas continue to function smoothly, the specter of unemployment looms large.

He lamented the conspicuous absence of advertisements for consumer products in newspapers, replaced instead by an inundation of promotions for coaching institutes catering to aspirants of civil service examinations such as the UPSC. “Most of the schools and colleges in the valley area are running smoothly. Employment has definitely taken a hit. I don't see advertisements of many products in newspapers anymore. I only see advertisements of coaching institutes for UPSC and exams. Life is not normal for anyone. Everyone wants peace except the government," he says in a melancholic tone.

Many people who fled their homes during the violence are currently residing in the Moyrang relief camp, situated approximately 45 km from the capital city of Imphal. Established specifically for the Meitei community affected by the turmoil, this camp serves as a temporary refuge. Reflecting on the sentiments of those sheltering there, relief camp volunteer Kumam Davidson shares, “The mothers and people of the relief camp say that they want to return home.”

Thong Thangsing, Vice President (External) of the Zomi Students Federation, headquartered in Churachandpur, a region predominantly inhabited by the Kuki community, sheds light on the dire educational situation unfolding amidst the crisis. He reveals that thousands of school students find themselves displaced, their education relegated to the backseat. Thangsing emphasizes the plight faced by those who manage to secure admission in government schools, citing complaints of inadequate facilities and services. He elaborates, “Hundreds of people are resorting to private schools, with their parents struggling to meet the financial demands of admission and tuition fees.”

Taking proactive steps to address the educational vacuum, Thangsing discloses the ZSF’s commitment to revitalizing the education sector. He asserts, “ZSF itself has taken up the initiative of adopting a government school and running it at high standards for the benefit of IDP children (displaced students in their own state) and other government school children.”

Regarding employment, Thong Thangsing elucidates, “Recruitment drives are being conducted, and thousands of people have applied for various government jobs, but the final recruitment is in doubt. How can recruitment be advertised amidst the Model Code of Conduct? Our suspicion is that earlier also, the state government had announced the recruitment and thousands of people had paid fees for the recruitment, but at the last moment, the recruitment was canceled without reimbursement of fees. The number of youth applying for government jobs in thousands is an indication of low levels of employment. There is hardly any other means of employment. Government employment is the only option.”

Reflecting on the post-violence landscape in Manipur, he tells The Mooknayak, “Not much has changed in today's Manipur. There is an atmosphere of violence and ethnic conflict. This is because even after 1 year of unrest, Meitei radicals, armed groups, and terrorists continue to operate independently.”

Thong Thangsing emphasizes the profound impact on education and students in the aftermath of the violence. He states, “Candidates of competitive examinations were badly affected. They had to travel to other examination centers in other states like Mizoram and Imphal, and in some cases, Senapati was the only examination center in the state.”

He further asserts, “Delhi High Court's refusal to compel UPSC to allot preliminary examination centers in the hill districts of the state, especially Lamka, Churachandpur, is being challenged in the Supreme Court because we are not satisfied with the court's findings. We will not give up until a Prelims UPSC exam center is built in our district.”