A Pandora's Box

Manipur is going through one of its worst moments

- Ninglun Hanghal

THREE years have passed since violence erupted between the Meiteis and the Kuki, the Zomi and their kindred tribes on May 3, 2023 in Manipur. The state has been going through a massive humanitarian crisis over the years. While more than 260 people died in the mayhem, about more than 60,000 were internally displaced on both sides.

Since then, Manipur has been both physically and emotionally divided along community-ethnic lines. Security forces manned the district borders between the valley areas inhabited by the Meiteis and the hill tribal areas inhabited by the Kukis, the Zomis and their kindred tribes. Both sides do not venture into each other's territory, and are prevented from and advised not to do so. The districts of Imphal East and West, Kakching, Jiribam, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal are severely affected by the violence.

Though a large chunk of the displaced population has moved out of relief camps, an equally large section, mostly those who have no alternative, are still languishing there.

As early as in June 2023, a peace committee was formed but it did not materialise. Even as the state Assembly was called, attendance was minimal.

After 19 months into the mayhem, Manipur came under President’s Rule from February 2025 to February 2026. Attempts to usher in normalcy during this period did not work out. For instance, inter-district public transport buses were sent out but no passengers were willing to travel, and somes buses were burnt in districts like Kangpokpi. Festivals such as the state Sangai Festival were held in Imphal. But the response was extremely poor. Another state festival, Shirui, was held in Ukhrul. The event went off better than the Imphal Sangai event, though it turned out to be only a festival of the Nagas (the Tangkhuls in particular), the bureaucrats and the Meiteis.