- विज्ञापन -
By Sahil Sharma: Since May 3, 2023, the northeastern state of Manipur has been gripped by a deadly ethnic conflict between the Meitei community, which predominantly resides in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki Zo tribe, which occupies the surrounding hills. While tensions between these groups have simmered for decades, dating back before India’s independence the violence has now escalated to unprecedented levels, leaving behind a trail of devastation.
Over 250 people have lost their lives in this war, and more than 60,000 have been displaced, living in crowded relief camps. The government’s silence and lack of decisive intervention have further deepened the crisis. As security experts point out, such widespread civil unrest is rare in post-independence India. The region has essentially been divided into two heavily militarized zones, with no-man’s land between the Meitei-controlled valley and the Kuki-controlled hills, patrolled by Central Security Forces. Movement between these areas requires navigating a dangerous buffer zone, a situation to that of international borders in conflict zones.
The conflict took a darker turn in September 2024, with the introduction of drones used not for surveillance but for bombings, an alarming development typically seen in war-torn regions like Ukraine. The state police confirmed that Kuki militants had used drones and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) to launch attacks on unarmed civilians. These new tactics signal a dangerous escalation, pushing Manipur further into chaos. The government’s response has been to impose curfews, restrict internet access, and maintain a media blackout. In fact, the internet shutdown in Manipur now rivals that of Kashmir, the previously most prolonged in the country.
Public outrage reached a boiling point when two women were paraded naked, a horrific incident that shocked the nation, yet led to little change. Despite the rising death toll and escalating violence, the government has yet to take significant action.
A Civil War in the Making
What’s happening in Manipur is nothing short of a civil war. The state is divided along ethnic lines, with the Meiteis accusing the Central Forces of protecting the Kuki Zo, and the Kukis fearing that if these forces were removed, they would face annihilation at the hands of the Meitei majority. Both sides are armed, and violence has spiraled out of control, with people now living in constant fear, many sleeping in bunkers to avoid becoming the next victim.
The central government has remained largely inactive, despite repeated calls for intervention. The appointment of peace committees has been ineffective, especially since Manipur’s Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, widely accused of bias by the Kuki community, was included in these efforts. The growing frustration is now directed not only at Singh but also at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as protests, stone-pelting, and clashes with police have intensified in Imphal.
Historical Divide
The roots of this conflict lie in a deeply flawed judicial decision in 2023, when the Manipur High Court proposed granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community, a move fiercely opposed by the Kukis. The hill tribes feared that this would give the already dominant Meitei more control over the state’s resources and land. Though the decision was ultimately withdrawn, the damage was done. Within days, violence erupted, leading to massacres in both Kuki and Meitei communities. The law and order situation collapsed as mobs looted police stations, stealing weapons that continue to fuel the violence.
Despite 16 months of bloodshed, the central government has yet to impose President’s Rule, a measure many feel would restore order. Instead, insurgent groups have taken advantage of the power vacuum, further destabilizing the region. The situation is now so dire that many within the Kuki community are demanding a separate administration under central control, while the Meitei refuse to entertain any talk of state division, citing the importance of Manipur’s territorial integrity.
A Catastrophic Government Failure
The lack of government intervention has raised serious questions about its priorities. Civil society groups, political analysts, and security experts alike are baffled by the government’s unwillingness to remove Chief Minister N.Biren Singh. The failure to implement basic law and order has pushed the state into a dark abyss, with armed groups gaining more control as the state weakens.
Some view this as the largest internal security failure India has witnessed in decades. Comparisons are even drawn to China’s aggression at the Galwan Valley, both considered monumental failures in addressing threats to national integrity. But the government has remained silent on both fronts, unwilling or unable to take decisive action.
Way Forward: Is There Hope for Peace?
As Manipur is on the brink of further chaos, the central question remains: what’s next? After months of bloodshed, displacement, and economic ruin, the people of Manipur have lost faith in their government. The longer the conflict drags on, the more hardened positions become. Calls for dialogue are falling on deaf ears, and with no meaningful peace efforts underway, the situation looks bleak.
The tragic lesson from Manipur is one of political failure—of an “Us vs. Them” mentality that has backfired catastrophically. As the region continues to burn, the window for peaceful resolution grows smaller by the day. The state has been set back decades in its development, and the rise of armed insurgent groups signals an even more dangerous phase of conflict.
Manipur stands as a stark reminder of the consequences of governmental inaction and the devastating impact of ethnic strife left unchecked. The question now is not just how to stop the violence, but whether the state can ever heal from this deep divide.
