Ethnic tensions, social instability, mutual distrust continues to disrupt life in Manipur

By Vikas Meshram*

For the past 18 months, violence in Manipur has gripped the state, leaving it paralyzed. Ethnic tensions, social instability, and mutual distrust have disrupted life across the region. Ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, and since then, hundreds of people have lost their lives, while thousands have been displaced from their homes. The situation has worsened to such an extent that it threatens the very essence of life in the state.

The primary cause of this conflict is the demand by the Meitei community in Manipur to be granted Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The Meitei community constitutes 53% of the state's population and primarily resides in the Imphal Valley. In contrast, tribal groups such as the Nagas and Kukis mainly inhabit the hilly regions. Tribal communities fear that granting ST status to the Meiteis will jeopardize their land rights and educational and employment reservations. This fear ignited ethnic tensions, spiraling the situation out of control.

Initially, the conflict was localized but soon escalated into widespread violence. Incidents of village attacks, house burnings, assaults on women, looting, and killings became daily occurrences. Particularly, the atrocities committed against women shocked the nation, highlighting the grave issue of women’s safety in Manipur. As a result, both communities have ceased to enter each other's territories, creating clear boundaries within the state.

Another alarming aspect of the conflict is the large-scale stockpiling of arms by both communities. Recent operations by the military and police have uncovered an extensive cache of advanced weapons, including sniper rifles, hand grenades, mortars, and other military-grade equipment. Additionally, some police stations have been attacked and looted for weapons.

There are suspicions of illegal arms smuggling into Manipur from neighboring countries. The state's hilly terrain makes smuggling relatively easier, further fueling the violence. Both communities have built bunkers to launch attacks and take cover, complicating the military’s efforts to control the situation.

The central and state governments have failed to restore peace in Manipur. Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has been accused of bias, with opposition parties alleging his partiality towards the Meitei community, leading to dissatisfaction among Kukis and other tribal groups. The central government has also been criticized for not taking decisive steps to address the crisis.

Despite the deployment of military, paramilitary forces, and police, the geographical challenges of the hilly terrain limit their effectiveness. Furthermore, there is a lack of coordination between the local administration and the central government. Internet services have been suspended in some areas to curb rumors, but this has only added to the citizens’ difficulties.

Resolving this conflict requires concrete measures. First and foremost, the central and state governments must collaborate to rebuild trust between the two communities. Steps must be taken to destroy weapon stockpiles, shut down smuggling routes, and tighten control over police stations.

Additionally, political solutions must be sought through dialogue with both communities. Mutual discussions and compromises can help restore trust. Furthermore, a special economic development plan for Manipur is essential to create employment and development opportunities for both communities.

The Manipur crisis is no longer confined to the state; it has become a matter of national concern. The violence has not only hindered the state's social and economic development but also poses a threat to the country’s unity. The central government must take firm and decisive action to resolve this issue promptly.

This conflict can only end through the implementation of law, dialogue, coordination, and cooperation. To guide Manipur back toward peace, all political parties must work together. Immediate measures and a development-oriented approach are the need of the hour for the state.

---

*Political commentator

Comments

Modi’s Israel visit strengthened Pakistan’s hand in US–Iran truce: Ex-Indian diplomat

By Jag Jivan M. K. Bhadrakumar , a career diplomat with three decades of service in postings across the former Soviet Union, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Turkey, has warned that the current truce in the US–Iran war is “fragile and ridden with contradictions.” Writing in his blog India Punchline , Bhadrakumar argues that while Pakistan has emerged as a surprising broker of dialogue, the durability of the ceasefire remains uncertain.

Manufacturing, services: India's low-skill, middle-skill labour remains underemployed

By Francis Kuriakose* The Indian economy was in a state of deceleration well before Covid-19 made its impact in early 2020. This can be inferred from the declining trends of four important macroeconomic variables that indicate the health of the economy in the last quarter of 2019.

Incarceration of Prof Saibaba 'revives' the question: What is crime, who is criminal?

By Kunal Pant* In 2016, a Supreme Court Judge asked the state of Maharashtra, “Do you want to extract a pound of flesh?” The statement was directed against the state for contesting the bail plea of Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba. Saibaba was arrested in 2014, a justification for which was to prevent him from committing what the police called “anti-national activities.”

Why Indo-Pak relations have been on 'knife’s edge' , hostilities may remain for long

By Utkarsh Bajpai* The past few decades have seen strides being made in all aspects of life – from sticks and stones to weaponry. The extreme case of this phenomenon has been nuclear weapons. The menace caused by nuclear weapons in the past is unforgettable. Images of Hiroshima and Nagasaki from 1945 come to mind, after the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the cities.

Food security? Gujarat govt puts more than 5 lakh ration cards in the 'silent' category

By Pankti Jog* A new statistical report uploaded by the Gujarat government on the national food security portal shows that ensuring food security for the marginalized community is still not a priority of the state. The statistical report, uploaded on December 24, highlights many weaknesses in implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in state.

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.

Lata Mangeshkar, a Dalit from Devdasi family, 'refused to sing a song' about Ambedkar

By Pramod Ranjan* An artist is known and respected for her art. But she is equally, or even more so known and respected for her social concerns. An artist's social concerns or in other words, her worldview, give a direction and purpose to her art. History remembers only such artists whose social concerns are deep, reasoned and of durable importance. Lata Mangeshkar (28 September 1929 – 6 February 2022) was a celebrated playback singer of the Hindi film industry. She was the uncrowned queen of Indian music for over seven decades. Her popularity was unmatched. Her songs were heard and admired not only in India but also in Pakistan, Bangladesh and many other South Asian countries. In this article, we will focus on her social concerns. Lata lived for 92 long years. Music ran in her blood. Her father also belonged to the world of music. Her two sisters, Asha Bhonsle and Usha Mangeshkar, are well-known singers. Lata might have been born in Indore but the blood of a famous Devdasi family...

'Batteries now cheap enough for solar to meet India's 90% demand': Expert quotes Ember study

By A Representative Shankar Sharma, Power & Climate Policy Analyst, has urged India’s top policymakers to reconsider the financial and ecological implications of the country’s energy transition strategy in light of recent global developments. In a letter dated April 10, 2026, addressed to the Union Ministers of Finance, Power, New & Renewable Energy, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and the Vice Chair of NITI Aayog, with a copy to the Prime Minister, Sharma highlighted concerns over India’s ambitious plans for coal gasification and the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR).

Labour unrest in Manesar trigger tensions: Recently enacted labour codes blamed

By A Representative A civil rights coalition has expressed concern over recent developments in the industrial hub of Manesar in Haryana, where a series of labour actions and police responses have drawn attention. A statement, released by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), said it stood in solidarity with workers in IMT Manesar and other parts of the country, while also alleging instances of police excess during ongoing unrest.

Search This Blog