Tuesday, 17 September 2024
Tuesday, 17 September 2024
Over one year. But ethnic violence in Manipur between the Kuki and Meitei communities, refuses to die. The unrest began on May 3, 2023, when tensions over the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category sparked a series of clashes. The violence has since escalated, leaving hundreds dead and thousands displaced.
Here’s a look at the devastation across Manipur through images of the violence and destruction, and the resilient spirit of its people.
The spark that ignited the violence
Vehicles set ablaze during the 'Tribal Solidarity March' called by All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in Imphal on May 3, 2023.
This march was organized to oppose ST status for the Meitei community, following an April 20 Manipur High Court directive to the state government to consider the Meitei community's demand for ST status. The march saw thousands of participants. But tensions escalated when people from the Meitei community allegedly organized a "counter block" in response. The situation deteriorated when miscreants set the Anglo-Kuki War centenary gate on fire, leading to clashes between tribal and non-tribal communities. This day marked the beginning of the violent unrest.
Homes destroyed, lives shattered
A stark reminder of the human cost of the conflict: a damaged house in a violence-hit area of Manipur, photographed on May 27, 2023.
In the initial days of the violence, miscreants set hundreds of houses, along with churches, temples, and vehicles, ablaze. By May 8, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh reported that 60 people had died, 231 were injured, and 1,700 houses, including religious places, had been destroyed. This widespread destruction forced the evacuation of thousands of people, with the government reporting that 20,000 people had been evacuated by May 5, and this number rose to 40,000 by May 14, with around 23,000 people living in 178 refugee camps.
The aftermath in Sugnu
A damaged house at Sugnu in Kakching district. Photographed on May 31, 2023.
The destruction in Sugnu highlighted the geographic spread of the conflict beyond the initial flashpoints. This violence occurred despite the government's efforts to contain the situation, including the imposition of curfews in eight districts, suspension of mobile internet services across the state and the deployment of the Army.
Retaliatory violence escalates
On June 15, 2023, unidentified miscreants torched two houses belonging to a particular community in retaliation for the killing of nine civilians by Kuki militants.
The incident occurred amidst ongoing tensions and sporadic outbreaks of violence across the state. A day before, the official residence of Nemcha Kipgen, the lone female minister in the Manipur government, was attacked and set ablaze.
Kangpokpi village bears the scars
The remains of burnt houses in Kangpokpi village, photographed on June 16, 2023.
Kangpokpi, inhabited by Kuki-Zo people, has been one of the most affected areas. This destruction came despite increased security measures and appeals for peace from various quarters. On May 31, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had appealed to people to surrender looted arms and warned of legal action against those found in possession of unauthorized arms. The continued violence in areas like Kangpokpi underscored the challenges faced by authorities in enforcing law and order.
The intimate face of violence
This image shows bullet holes in a door, a roof, and a utensil at a house in violence-hit Manipur.
These intimate details of destruction show the cost of living in a conflict zone. The presence of bullet holes in civilian homes points to the use of firearms in the conflict, a concern that was reported when miscreants looted around 3,000 arms from police armories between May 4 and 29.
Kuki ZRA terrorists parade with weapons in celebration
Members of an armed group, identified as Kuki ZRA terrorists, parade with weapons and uniforms on the streets in celebration.
This troubling image highlights the emergence and emboldening of armed factions amid the conflict. The public display of arms by non-state actors represents a significant challenge to the authority of the state and central governments. This development came despite interventions, like the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to the state from May 29 to 31, during which the armed forces had arrested over 20 people in possession of guns.
Border town Moreh engulfed in flames
On July 27, 2023, a mob set fire to at least 30 houses and shops in Moreh, a town on the Myanmar border.
Moreh, a border town, plays a significant role in trade between India and Myanmar. The violence here affected economic activities. The incident in Moreh came at a time when the conflict gained national attention, following the viral video of a mob parading two Kuki on July 19.
Civilians take up arms
A 'village volunteer' stands guard at a bunker set up in conflict-hit Manipur.
This image illustrates how civilians have been drawn into the conflict, with many taking up arms to protect their communities. This happened despite the presence of central security forces, with 10,000 paramilitary and central police force personnel deployed in the state by May 6.
Imphal ablaze
Smoke and flames billow out as houses belonging to the Kuki-Zo community, which were set on fire by miscreants in Imphal on August 1, 2023.
The fire engulfed houses of migrants from Bihar, Haryana, and Naga people, showcasing the targeted nature of the violence. This incident in Imphal occurred despite increased security measures and political interventions. Just two days earlier, on July 30, a team of 21 Opposition leaders had visited the state to assess the situation.
An everlasting conflict
The conflict in Manipur refused to stop in 2024, with recent incidents including the killing of two CRPF personnel in Bishnupur district on April 27, 2024, marking the first targeted attack on central security forces since the violence began. Disturbances during the Lok Sabha elections held in April 2024, necessitating re-polling in multiple booths across both phases of voting in the state. Ongoing tensions and sporadic outbreaks of violence, such as the killing of five people in fresh violence in Manipur's Jiribam district on a recent Saturday.
