The current violence in Manipur
When violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, over 60,000 officially (100,000 unofficial) Kuki people fled their villages, leaving behind homes, farmland, and livelihoods. Manipur, India's northeastern state, consists mostly of the Meitei majority (predominantly Hindus) living in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki and Naga tribal communities (predominantly Christians) living in the surrounding hills. The outbreak of violence between militant groups of Meiteis and Kukis have affected civilians, leading to 175 deaths and 1,118 injuries, and the burning of 254 churches, 132 temples, 300 villages, and over 4,700 houses.
The conflict was sparked by Kuki’s peaceful protest of the Meitei court petition for tribal status, “which the Kukis argued would strengthen their already strong influence on government and society, allowing them to buy land or settle in predominantly Kuki areas” (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66260730). The Meitei have sought to regain Scheduled Tribal status since it was revoked by the Indian government in 1949, but new court movement was being made on the petition. Violent clashes broke out between the Kuki and Meitei groups and the violence and burning of property spread quickly.
There are many layers of conflict and tension contributing to the current violence and instability in Manipur. Disputes over land, illegal immigration and refugees from Myanmar, historical ethnic conflicts, results of British occupation, drug running, politics, and regulations around forest preservation, all layer onto the hostilities and conflict in Manipur. Additionally, “the wave of violence in Manipur was preceded by widespread hate speech, both online and offline. This hate speech is said to have been used to justify the atrocities committed against the Kuki ethnic minority, particularly women, on account of their ethnicity and religious beliefs” (https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewelinaochab/2023/09/05/what-is-happening-in-indias-state-of-manipur/?sh=7a1ad8bb2f62).
Direct reports from Kukis, who are displaced by the violence, allege the attack was preplanned, and the militant Meitei had accumulated weapons months before the violence started. They describe this violence as a “state-sponsored war,” strongly believing that the Meitei people cannot invade their lands and homes without government support.
The violence towards Kuki people has been tragic, including - sexual assault, beheading, burning alive, and mass shooting. Mainstream television channels from India ignored the Manipur conflict until July when a viral video surfaced showing two naked women being paraded by a mob. Major newspapers and broadcast media from Manipur have largely avoided reporting on violence faced by the Kukis.
Previous conflicts in Manipur were able to be peacefully settled within a couple of months, but this conflict is currently in its tenth month. Uncertainty persists as to when the violence will end and if people will ever be able to return to their homes and rebuild life. Currently there are 120 relief camps housing over 60,000 displaced Kuki people.
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