The ethnic violence in Manipur has once again erupted into a nightmare of destruction and despair. What was once touted as a beacon of multi-ethnic harmony has descended into chaos, with gunmen taking hostages, communities burning, and innocents slaughtered all while the government struggles to maintain any semblance of control.
Gunmen, allegedly from the Hmar group of the ethnic Kuki minority, took six hostages earlier this month in Jiribam after a fiery exchange of bullets with troops. This latest clash left vehicles and homes in ashes, a testament to the rising violence in the region. While authorities claim to have retaliated, killing ten gunmen in the process, the carnage has done little to quell the growing fear and resentment.
What They Are saying
“We want peace, but if they attack us, we have to defend ourselves,” said Khuma Hmar, a 55-year-old village elder, surveying the wreckage of a home in Zairawn. The haunting image of burnt toys and bullet-riddled walls tells a story of unimaginable suffering, including the brutal killing and alleged rape of a 31-year-old woman. Officials pointed fingers at the Meitei community for this heinous act, but in this cauldron of hatred, accusations only add fuel to the fire.
The violence in Manipur, which began in May 2023 over disputes related to land and quotas, has killed at least 258 people and displaced over 60,000. For Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, this is an epic failure of law and order. The state, which is under the BJP’s rule, has become a hotbed of ethnic warfare, with both the Kukis and Meiteis waging battles over what they perceive as rightful benefits.
Despite fleeting moments of calm brokered through peace talks, the situation in Jiribam, once considered a relatively peaceful area, has taken a terrifying turn. After an initial peace pact between the Kuki-Hmar and Meitei groups, communities began rebuilding relationships. But all hopes for reconciliation crumbled when violence returned with a vengeance in November.
“The Meiteis tore it all apart,” Hmar said, gesturing towards the neighboring Meitei village of Mongbung, separated from Zairawn by a narrow road. Unsurprisingly, Meitei villagers deny these allegations. “We too want peace, but they should stop attacking us first,” said Prosenjit Singh, a Meitei resident, echoing a sentiment of perpetual blame.
Why It Matters
As hostilities escalate, revenge becomes the order of the day. Zairawn saw 18 homes burned, prompting retaliatory attacks with nearly 70 homemade bombs hurled at Mongbung. Troops were blocked from intervening by a crowd of Meitei women demanding protection, delaying action until the destruction was already complete.
The situation worsened when armed cadres began pouring into Jiribam from other parts of Manipur. Intelligence officers reported discovering militants from both sides, despite their supposed agreements with the government to cease operations. The so-called “peace” in Manipur appears to be a very far dream to achieve, with every step forward delayed by setbacks.
Adding to the tragedy, the events have forced hundreds of families to flee their homes for relief camps. Sandhya Devi, a Meitei woman, recounts the horror of losing her mother, sisters, and nieces to armed gunmen who stormed their shop and took them hostage. Days later, their bullet-riddled bodies were found in a nearby river. “The people who did this to my family should also be killed in the same way,” said Devi, now living in a crowded relief camp.
The government has declared Jiribam a “disturbed area,” granting troops sweeping powers to conduct warrantless searches and even shoot to kill. However, this heavy-handed approach does little to address the root causes of the conflict.
The funerals of the nine Meitei victims became a rallying cry for revenge, with one armed group vowing that “the fight that started in Manipur will end in Jiribam.”
Despite calls for peace from community leaders, the situation remains fragile. As armed groups continue to arrive. The violence may have subsided momentarily, but the deep hatred between the Kukis and Meiteis ensures that peace remains an elusive dream.
Bottom Line
The crisis in Manipur is a reminder of the consequences of neglecting ethnic and communal divisions. The Modi administration’s inability to manage this conflict reflects poorly on its governance and exposes the fragility of India’s social fabric. For a nation that prides itself on unity in diversity, Manipur’s tragedy reveals just how easily that unity can fracture and has had fractured
