Deadly violence has engulfed Manipur, a scenic Indian state bordering Myanmar, for over two months, pitting the Meitei and Kuki communities against each other and causing complete segregation. The clashes, sparked by an affirmative action controversy, have left over 130 people dead and nearly 60,000 displaced in their own land. The Kuki community is now demanding territorial autonomy, while the Meitei community adamantly opposes any dismemberment of Manipur. The division has resulted in fury, isolation, and disruption of basic services, leaving the community in distress and uncertainty.
The violent clashes began in the tribal district of Churachandpur, where the mourning Kuki community gathered in a solemn march to remember their fallen members. Walls adorned with photographs of the deceased, wreaths covering the floor, and dummy coffins protest the loss and demand independence from the Meitei and Manipur.
The isolation resulting from the deep ethnic divide has not only led to emotional strain but also practical difficulties in terms of mobility and access to essential services. The Kuki community is now cut off from the Meitei-dominated Imphal valley, where the majority community exercises political dominance. Internet services have been suspended, exacerbating the isolation and making life feel like a constant siege.
The violence has also severely affected healthcare services in the region. The relief camps housing thousands of Kuki evacuees, including those with terminal illnesses and HIV-Aids, face shortages of essential medicines. The hospital in Churachandpur, already grappling with a manpower crisis, has seen a depletion in specialised doctors, leading to the stoppage of weekly visits by oncologists, neurologists, and urologists from Imphal.
The disruption caused by the violence has had a devastating impact on the education system. Schools have been shut down, forcing Kuki children to abandon their education and join volunteer forces to protect their villages. The separation and hostilities between the communities have altered the way children play, with war games becoming the norm.
The violence has not only resulted in physical destruction but also an erosion of trust between the Meitei and Kuki communities. Meitei houses and settlements have been burned, and the spray-painted letters proclaiming the original name of Churachandpur replace the blackened-out signs. The division between the communities is stark with separate territories and buffer zones being patrolled by security forces to maintain peace.
Despite some signs of normalcy returning, such as the market opening a few times a week and farmers slowly returning to their farms, the sense of fragility and separation remains. The violence has torn apart a once-closely interconnected community and left them in a state of uncertainty and fear. The future of Manipur and its communities hangs in the balance as they grapple with the aftermath of the deadly clashes and strive to rebuild trust and unity.
