ANDRO: A wave of ethnic violence has gripped Manipur, a remote Indian state in the hilly northeast region, leading to the displacement of thousands of people and the reported death of at least 54 individuals.
The unrest, which erupted last week, has prompted around 23,000 individuals to flee the area, seeking safety from the escalating clashes between the Meitei people and the Kuki tribe.
S. Mamang Vaiphei, a father of five, shared his harrowing experience of hiding in the jungle for three nights after his village was attacked by a violent mob.
Mamang, now sheltering in an army camp with approximately 900 others who have similarly horrifying stories, recounted how the Meitei people initially burned down 26 or 27 houses before returning to destroy all 92 houses in the village. The church and school were also ransacked, leaving behind a scene of devastation and trauma.
Northeast India, situated between Bangladesh, China, and Myanmar, has long been a region marked by tensions between different ethnic groups and separatist movements.
The recent clashes were triggered by protests over plans to grant the Meitei people “Scheduled Tribe” status, which would provide affirmative action benefits such as reserved quotas for government jobs and college admissions.
The protests escalated into violence, with vehicles and buildings set ablaze. According to villagers, armed Meitei mobs then launched attacks on Kuki settlements in the hills.
India deploys military to control violence
In response to the escalating violence, the military has deployed thousands of troops, implemented “shoot-at-sight” orders in extreme cases, imposed curfews, and cut off internet access.
Mamang, who remains homeless after spending his fifth night in the open, is one of the approximately 23,000 people whom the military claims to have brought to safety.
Fleeing his village of Kamuching on May 4, Mamang described the chaos and devastation as everything around him was engulfed in flames. With limited time and amidst the internet shutdown, which aimed to curb disinformation, others in the army camp shared similar accounts of fear and uncertainty.
Alun Vaiphei, a 50-year-old Kuki tribal villager from Gotangkot, expressed the collective anxiety and dread among the displaced individuals, stating, “Every one of us here, we’re nervous, we’re afraid of death.”
Seeking refuge, they reached out to the Assam Rifles for rescue from their places of hiding. In and around Imphal, the state capital, normal life has come to a standstill, with closed businesses and desolate roads strewn with charred vehicles.
Indian army’s Brigadier Sandeep Kapoor acknowledged that they continue to receive distress calls for assistance. Over the past 48 hours, Kapoor’s teams have rescued approximately 2,000 people, including both Kukis and some Meiteis.
However, the army faces challenges in ensuring the safety of those displaced due to the deep polarization and breakdown of dialogue between the communities.
Leh Haokip, a 35-year-old from Gotangkot village, recounted witnessing the looting, stealing of cattle, and the destruction of his home from a distance.
He expressed a sense of helplessness, noting the absence of police or state assistance and the uncertainty of what lies ahead for them.
The ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur underscores the urgent need for peace and reconciliation efforts to address the deep-rooted divisions and grievances.
Immediate attention and support are required to provide humanitarian aid, ensure the safety of the displaced population, and initiate dialogues aimed at resolving the underlying issues fueling the unrest.
