Imphal, Manipur
By Isha Parvatiyar
Manipur, the land that is home to one of the rarest species of animals, Sangai, is burning. Since February of this year, the situation in Manipur has been tense but what unfolded on May 3, 2023, was unexpected after violence broke out between tribals and non-tribals during the ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ called by All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM). With the government granting a long-standing demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community, protests from the tribals began. What followed was what never anyone, including the Manipuri themselves, thought could be true.
The conflict between the tribals and the non-tribals of Manipur is nothing new but to see it get to such an extent was not something that the Manipuris themselves had imagined. With lives lost and properties damaged in the last few days, the government on May 4, 2023, issued Shoot-at-sight” order in extreme situations, and with the involvement of the central forces, locals say, the tension has diluted a bit.
The government has shut down the internet and broadband services in the state up until May 9, 2023, so the people in the state cannot post or share images of their situation with the rest of the world and India. Manipuri students and working professionals living outside their homeland are not able to reach their families in Manipur, which is causing them extreme worry and concern. With no internet or broadband connectivity, the people of Manipur who were working online are unsure about their futures.
Electricity is irregular and while many are evacuating their homes, some are stranded in the hills, with their lives in danger. Many have lost their lives while being stranded and so their families and friends who were lucky enough to evacuate, are worried for the safety of their men who are not with them. With no way to contact each other, they are living in the dark.
“We wished to solve this verbally and peacefully,” a Manipuri college student said over the telephone on conditions of anonymity.
Manipur has seen insurgency for years till peace was restored in recent times. Meitei of Manipur take up most of the population of Manipur and are the non-tribals. The tribals of Manipur are recognized as “Naga tribes” and “Kuki tribes” who take up about less than 40% of Manipur’s population. Earlier it largely used to be Naga versus Meitei. This time it is also Kuki versus Meitei.
People we talked to over the phone say the situation is bad. Approximately 9000 residents were evacuated from the danger zones with as many as 5000 Manipuri given safety and shelter in Churachandpur, while around 2000 safely shifted to Tenugopal district, according to a defence spokesperson.
“People are too scared to live in their own homes,” a Manipuri student told Global Bihari on condition of anonymity.
Keeping in mind the current violent situation of Manipur, the one question that lingers in our minds as humans is “How are the Manipuri, regardless of their identities, keeping up?”
“We are without food and living in constant fear in one of the frontline villages,” said a local political activist over the telephone from Imphal. He added, “People don’t feel safe in their own homes as there are mobs that are forcefully entering private properties and going inside hostels at night, burning random homes and religious places.”
A few though said food and water are being provided in the shelters.
Much false information about the situation of Manipur is also being spread and false statements are being made from both sides to ignite fire against the other.
While many have found shelter and a safe space, some have decided to stay back and take care of their homes. When asked why, they mentioned that this was the land their ancestors had fought hard for, and this was the land they had called home for hundreds of years. It was hard for them to leave the place behind where their men had lost their lives and blood.
The tribal and the non-tribal communities living together in harmony after this situation is a question yet to be answered. Manipur is known as “A Jewel Land” located in the northeastern part of India. It is surrounded by nine hills and has an oval-shaped valley in the centre, justifying its title of a Jewel. The earlier the present spree of violence ends, the better it would be for the people there.
Very well researched first hand report on the ongoing crisis in Manipuri. Hats off to the correspondent for bringing the real facts from the local Manipuris through Telephone, while government’s easy way of abruptly halting Internet services without giving a thought, how the panicked Manipuris outside the state gone for studies or for working can contact their near and dear ones.