Two Years of Ethnic Strife in Manipur: A Brief Overview
Protests Enacted in Manipur to Commemorate Two Years of Ethnic Conflicts
Marking the second anniversary of the ethnic conflict, ethnic clashes once again flared up between the Meteis and Kukis in Manipur, leaving over 260 people dead, 1,500 injured, and displacing a staggering 70,000 individuals as of 2023.
On this day, rifts between the two communities intensified, severing the normality of daily life across the state. Shutdowns called by various factions in both the Meitei-controlled Imphal Valley and the Kuki-dominated hill districts greatly affected the local populace.
COCOMI, a Meitei group, called for a shutdown in the valley districts, while the Zomi Students Federation (ZSF) and the Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) in the hill districts imposed a similar restriction.
The day's events saw businesses close their doors, public vehicles abandon the roads, and offices remain locked across Manipur. A few private vehicles could be spotted plying the streets in the early morning hours.
Notably, educational institutions also shut their doors, including schools and colleges, affecting the academic pursuits of countless students.
To ensure public safety, security forces have been posted at vital locations, striving to thwart any untoward incidents.
In the evening, a somber candlelight march was held in Imphal to honor the memory of those lost in the violence.
In the Kuki-dominated hill districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, the community observed a "Day of Separation," reiterating their demand for a separate administrative territory. Programs were held at the "Wall of Remembrance," in Churachandpur town, and the Sehken Burial site, where Kuki victims of the ethnic violence were interred.
Manipur's Long-standing Conflict
Though initially sparked by a petty dispute, the ethnic conflict in Manipur has persisted for two years, with tensions outlined in the succeeding sections.
Ongoing Violence and Displacement
With over 260 fatalities and more than 70,000 displaced individuals, the conflict has taken a severe toll on the region's stability and welfare[1][3]. Many of the displaced remain in camps, struggling to rebuild their lives.
Security Measures
To prevent any further disturbances, security forces have stepped up their presence across Manipur[2].
Government Interventions
In the wake of the conflict, Manipur came under President's Rule, following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh and the suspension of the state assembly in February 2025[1].
Recurring Demands for Resolution
Communities remain adamant in their demands for change, with Meiteis advocating for the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and Kukis insisting on a separate administration[4].
Calls for rehabilitation
Given the dire situation of displaced individuals, human rights organizations have implored authorities to prioritize their rehabilitation without delay[3].
Emotional Memorials
As communities remember this somber anniversary, they continue to pay tribute to their fallen loved ones, thereby underscoring the ongoing nature of their struggle and their pursuit of justice.
- Amid the ongoing ethnic conflict in India's Manipur state, the second anniversary saw renewed clashes between the Meteis and Kukis, escalating tensions, shutdowns, and displacing nearly 70,000 individuals.
- The violence in Manipur has been intensifying for two years, leaving over 260 people dead and affecting the general news, crime and justice, politics, and war-and-conflicts sections of newspapers.
- As a result of these ethnic clashes, businesses, public vehicles, offices, and educational institutions in Manipur were forced to shut down, causing a significant disruption to the local populace.
- In an attempt to ensure public safety and prevent further incidents, security forces have been stationed at strategic locations across Manipur, while some private vehicles managed to navigate the streets during the early morning hours.
- In the Kuki-dominated hill districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, the community celebrated a "Day of Separation," demanding a separate administrative territory. They held programs at the "Wall of Remembrance" and the Sehken Burial site, honoring the Kuki victims of the ethnic violence.
- Human rights organizations have called for immediate attention towards the rehabilitation of the hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals in Manipur, urging authorities to prioritize their needs ahead of the ongoing conflict amid the crises of crime, justice, and social upheaval.
