Imphal: Manipur today stood still as a comprehensive state-wide shutdown was observed, marking the somber two-year milestone since the eruption of violent clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
The conflict, which began two years prior, has tragically claimed the lives of over 260 individuals, left more than 1,500 injured, and resulted in the displacement of over 70,000 people from their homes.
Across the state, the impact of the shutdown was palpable. Markets remained shuttered, the usual flow of public transportation ceased, and private offices across both the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley and the Kuki-majority hill districts remained closed.
The enforcement of this widespread cessation of activity was a joint effort by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) in the Imphal Valley and the Zomi Students’ Federation (ZSF) and Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) in the hill regions.
While the Imphal Valley became the site of poignant remembrance, with a candlelight vigil casting a gentle glow and a ‘People’s Convention’ held at Khuman Lampak Stadium to honor those lost, the Kuki-Zo community in the hill districts marked the day with a solemn ‘Day of Separation’.
This day of remembrance included memorial events held at the Wall of Remembrance and the Sehken Burial Site in Churachandpur, underscoring the deep wounds that persist.
Beyond these symbolic acts of mourning and remembrance, the profound scars of the conflict continue to permeate the daily realities of thousands who remain displaced.
Living as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in overcrowded relief camps and hastily constructed prefabricated shelters, their lives are a testament to the enduring impact of the violence.
The personal toll of this displacement is starkly evident in the voices of those directly affected. “I used to run a coaching institute in Imphal. It’s all gone now,” shared G Kipgen, a Kuki father of three, his words heavy with loss. “I have no income, no home, and I’m worried every day about my children’s future.” Abung, a Meitei IDP now residing in Bishnupur, echoed this sentiment of profound disruption. “I had a grocery business,” he recounted. “Now, even though I live in a prefab home, it can’t replace the freedom of our own home.”
Despite significant political shifts, including the removal of former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and the subsequent imposition of President’s Rule in February, a sense of normalcy remains stubbornly out of reach. The demands of the respective communities have only solidified, with the Kuki community continuing to advocate for a separate administration, while Meitei groups press for the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the deportation of individuals they deem ‘illegal immigrants’.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, a senior central security official has observed a worrying trend: armed groups are increasingly asserting control within both communities. This rise in influence has fueled a surge in extortion activities and the recruitment of disillusioned young people. “This is one of the most troubling aspects—civilians are caught in a power struggle,” the official stated, highlighting the precarious position of ordinary residents.
Efforts by the government to address the economic hardship and psychological distress through skill development and livelihood initiatives have so far fallen short of providing meaningful relief to the displaced families. The overwhelming needs and the depth of the trauma appear to exceed the current scope of these programs.
The feeling of abandonment and fading support was poignantly expressed by Abenao Devi, an IDP in Imphal. “In the early days, support came regularly,” she recalled. “But now we’re invisible. We rely on charity for basics. It’s degrading.” Her words underscore the growing sense of desperation among those who have lost everything.
As the state-wide shutdown serves as a stark reminder of the devastating two-year mark, the dream of returning to a life of normalcy remains a distant aspiration for Manipur’s displaced population. Their yearning extends beyond the simple cessation of violence; they long for the restoration of their dignity, the stability of their former lives, and the fundamental right to return home.
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