Well, is there really no end to conflict and violence? To whom should we ask this question? And who would answer it remains unknown to us. The very mention of Manipur now immediately brings one thought to mind — what has happened there again?
On the afternoon of 7th April, in Tronglaobi Awang Leikhai of Bishnupur district, Manipur, a sudden bomb blast took place. Two innocent children were killed in the explosion, one aged five and the other six. It was reported that they belonged to the Meitei community. Their mother was also seriously injured and is fighting for her life. The Meiteis blamed the Kuki fighters for this incident, believing that it was a planned attack carried out by them.
However, the Kukis denied all such accusations. As a result, this exchange of blame soon turned into chaos across the state. Peace, there seems to be only a temporary guest. But the roots of this unrest are not new.
Back in 2023, a severe conflict began, mainly involving tensions between the Meiteis and the Kuki-Naga communities. It eventually turned into something terrifying. The Meiteis, who are the majority non-tribal population of Manipur, mainly live in the central valley region. On the other hand, the Kuki-Naga tribal communities live in the surrounding hill districts. It is said that these hill regions are comparatively underdeveloped.
Land rights are considered one of the main reasons behind the conflict between the two communities. Since the Meiteis have limited access to land ownership, they reportedly raised demands for land rights in the hill areas as well. However, the Kuki communities strongly opposed this. They feared that if the Meiteis moved into their regions, they would face oppression and their peaceful way of life would be disturbed.
Thus, the conflict deepened over this issue. At that time, we witnessed how many people lost their lives, how many saw their homes burned down, and how many were forced to abandon their own dwellings and relocate elsewhere.
At present, since the dispute remains unresolved, it has once again raised its head, beginning with the deaths of those two innocent children. And now the violence is no longer limited to the two communities alone — it is spreading further.
It was reported that during a rally, the CRPF had to open fire to control the situation, in which three more innocent people were killed, and two or three others were injured.
As for administrative action, it is said that in 2023, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh exacerbated the crisis by speaking in favour of one side rather than resolving the issue. Homes burned, people suffered, yet there seemed to be little concern for solving the conflict. All that has happened, one may say, is political change — but does that really resolve conflict? The central government then appointed a new Chief Minister, Yumnam Khemchand Singh, but his steps too do not seem to have brought much success.
Thus, the conflict continues. The only glimpse of peace has come from the united protests of women. Their demand is simple — peace and justice. Their question to Narendra Modi is whether the Prime Minister is not at all aware of what is happening there. They also said that he has visited many countries in times of crisis, but why is he so indifferent to Manipur’s suffering? But perhaps no one has much interest or desire to answer that question.
As ordinary people, we can only hope for one thing: that- May those who lost their lives receive justice—irrespective of caste or religion—and may peace return to Manipur.
