For the last 578 days, since May 3, 2023, India’s north-eastern state of Manipur has witnessed unprecedented turmoil, primarily affecting the Meitei people. The ongoing conflict with Kuki-Zomi militants has sparked widespread outrage and fear among the Meitei people as the State (both the Government of India and the Government of Manipur) has failed to provide adequate protection for their lives and properties in spite of heavy militarisation in the state.
The November killings have not only re-escalated the violent conflict between the Kuki-Zomi militants and the Meiteis but also increased the terrorist acts targeting the innocent civilians. On November 7, 2024, a 31-year old Hmar woman was burned to death, and several houses were set ablaze in Jarolpokpi village in Jiribam district by armed extremists. Kuki-Zomi groups alleged that the Meitei armed militants shot the young woman and burned down several houses in the village. Within three days, on November 9, a Meitei young woman farmer, Sapam Sophia, was shot dead while working in the paddy filed with others by suspected Kuki militants in Saiton village, Bishnupur district.
Moreover, on the night of November 9 the Kuki-Zomi militants started attacks at Thamnapokpi and Sanasabi under Yaingangpokpi Police Station in Imphal East district, Manipur. Again, the Kuki-Zomi militants launched yet another unprovoked attack at midnight, injuring a Mahar Regiment personnel. The attack continued till wee hours around 1.30 am. During the shootout, a Mahar Regiment personnel sustained minor injuries. A stray bullet reportedly scratched his left arm, according to reports.
A deadly clash on November 11 in Borobekra of Manipur’s Jiribam district left eleven Kuki-Zomi militants dead in the retaliation by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and one CRPF personnel succumbed. The Kuki-Zomi militants gun-fired towards civilians and burned down Meitei houses in Jakuradhor Karong under Borobekra Police Station in Jiribam district and two Meitei civilians found dead, another two civilians including one injured were rescued while six women and children including an eight months-old have been abducted by the Kuki-Zomi militants.
On the same day, besides the attack in Jiribam, the Kuki-Zomi militants rained down bullets and bombs including rockets at the villages located at peripheral areas of Manipur central valley. They carried out attacks upon Koutruk, Kadangband and Kangchup Chingkhong and Phayeng under Lamshang Police Station in Imphal West district. The attacks began around 7:15 pm by Kuki-Zomi militants, following which both the Central and State forces deployed at Kangchup Chingkhong retaliated.
The Kuki-Zomi militants also burned down newly constructed pre-fabricated houses for Police and Central Security Forces at Porom Ching of Phayeng under Lamshang police station at around 8.20 pm.
The Kuki-Zomi militants also fired rockets from Kharam Vaiphei and Nakhujang around 7.25 pm. The rockets hit several areas at Phumlou and Lairensajik. Some of the rockets failed to explode on hitting the ground.
On the same day, November 11 between 3 to 3:30 pm, a fierce gunfight between Village Volunteers and Kuki-Zomi militants at Leitanpokpi and Dampi Hill Range under Phougakchao Ikhai Police Station in Bishnupur erupted in the aftermath of the fatal killing of a young woman, Sapam Sophia, who was working in the paddyfield in Saiton village in Bishnupur district on November 9.
Moreover, on November 11, the Kuki-Zomi militants continued firing from Uyokching upon Thamnapokpi Shantikhongbal villages under Yaingangpokpi police station which has been under AFSPA. A 32 year-old farmer Kanshok Horam belonging to the Tangkhul Naga community was injured while he along with nine farmers including eight Tangkhul and one Nepali were working. The other farmers luckily escaped unhurt.
The brutal events that unfolded on November 11 have further intensified anger and despair in the affected communities. The abducted six persons (three women and three minor children) from Jakuradhor Karong in Jiribam were brutally killed after reportedly suffering horrific abuse and their bodies were later found in the Barak River on different days. Among the deceased were an eight-month-old infant (boy), Telem Lamnganba; a two and half-year-old child (boy), Laishram Chingkheinganba and an eight-year-old girl, Telem Thajamanbi. Of the three women Laishram Heitonbi Devi, 25 and Y Rani, 60, are Chingkheinganba’s mother and grandmother respectively while Telem Thoibi, 31, is the mother eight-month-old infant (boy), Telem Lamnganba and an eight-year-old girl, Telem Thajamanbi.
Furthermore, the alarming disappearance of a Meitei who is a supervisor of contract works from the Indian Army’s 57 Mountain Division at Leimakhong adds to the growing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Meitei populace.
The killing incidents, particularly the gruesome killings of six innocent women and minor children abducted on November 11, raised alarming questions about human rights violations in Manipur. Reports indicate that the six victims – three women and three minor children – were abducted, tortured, physically assaulted and finally murdered by Kuki-Zomi militants.
Autopsy reports revealed the harrowing details of their suffering, with signs of severe physical abuse presented. Reports revealed bullet injuries to all the bodies. There are deep lacerations on many parts of the bodies. The autopsy reports of Telem Thoibi, 31, the mother, her eight-year-old daughter, and an eight-month-old infant boy abducted and killed by Kuki-Zomi militants in Manipur’s Jiribam district reveal brutal physical assault and multiple bullet injuries. This barbaric act not only represents a crime against individuals or families and humanity but also signifies a broader assault on the very essence of life and community for the Meitei people.
The lack of accountability and justice for such brutal crimes has led to widespread anger among the Meitei community. Many families in Jiribam and peripheries of Manipur central valley now fear for their safety and security as they feel isolated and unprotected by State mechanisms that are supposed to defend their rights and lives.
Here, raises the issue of the State’s abdication of responsibility. The glaring failure of the State to protect its citizens has raised pertinent and urgent questions regarding governance and law enforcement in Manipur. As violence escalated, the State failed to take timely and effective measures to curtail the violence or address the grievances of the affected communities. Police and Central Security Forces are often reported to be either unresponsive or overwhelmed, contributing to a pervasive atmosphere of impunity among militant groups.
Community members have also expressed their disenchantment with the legal and administrative apparatus that should safeguard their rights. There is a growing sentiment among the Meitei that the State machinery has actively sided with Kuki-Zomi groups rather than ensuring equitable protection and acting as a neutral party. This has fostered feelings of betrayal and distrust towards the establishment responsible for their safety.
The abdication of responsibility has further been highlighted by the community’s collective response to the abduction and killings in November. Besides Jiribam, protests erupted across the Imphal Valley, with citizens demanding justice for the victims and declaring their frustration over the lack of State action. On November 16, a large number of irate mobs stormed the residences of many legislators as well as ministers in Imphal over the escalated violence against the Meiteis by the Kuki-Zomi militants in recent times, especially with reports of six women and children captives dead. Angry protestors damaged residential gates, shouted slogans, clashed with police and even burnt properties of some MLAs as the situation worsened in the violence-hit state of Manipur.
The mobilization illustrated the people’s desperation and the urgent need for acknowledgment, justice, and safety.
In the face of these adversities, the Meitei community has shown so far remarkable resilience. Local voluntary organizations, civil society organisations and other civic groups, Meira Paibis (women torch bearers) and elders have come together to support the families of the victims and promote awareness regarding the ongoing crisis. Grassroots movements have taken the form of peaceful protests, vigils, and campaigns urging accountability from both State authorities and militant groups.
Support networks have been established to provide assistance to those affected by violence, ensuring that victims’ families have access to necessary resources, counselling, and legal help. The community’s response highlights the power of collective action and the deep-seated desire for justice, dignity, and peace amidst chaos.
However, unfortunately, the disappearance of Laishram Kamalbabu, 56, from Loitang Khunou in Imphal West who is Meitei supervisor working for a contractor in Indian Army’s 57 Mountain Division at Leimakhong, about 6 km away from his village. The disappearance of Laishram Kamalbabu is suspected by the Meiteis to be an act of the Kuki-Zomi militants colluded with some personnel.
Meanwhile, the Indian Army authorities and Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren said that they are working with all possible steps to rescue Kamalbabu, and some Kuki-Zomi groups also expressed their full support for the ongoing search and rescue efforts.
However, the disappearance of Kamalbabu from the Indian Army’s 57 Mountain Division at Leimakhong adds to the prevalent fear among the Meitei community regarding the safety of individuals, particularly those identified with the Meitei ethnicity.
As the State security apparatus grapples with growing tensions, the disappearance ignites fears of further violence and retaliatory actions against the Meitei community. There is a palpable anxiety regarding whether State agencies would take sufficient action to investigate the disappearance thoroughly or if it would again be swept under the carpet or overshadowed with another bigger deadlier incident.
This case underscores the community’s broader concerns regarding their representation in State mechanisms and the means for safeguarding their rights. Many Meiteis are unyielding in their demands for transparency in investigations, a robust action plan to ensure their safety, and a renewed commitment from the State to uphold their rights as citizens.
The current crisis is not solely a Meitei or Kuki issue; it is a broad reflection of systemic failures within the governance structures in Manipur. In order to prevent further violence and ensure the safety of all communities, a holistic approach is necessary with a sincere and transparent Manipur policy of the Government of India and Government of Manipur. This includes stopping the Kuki-Zomi militants from attacking on the Meiteis, addressing historical grievances, ensuring equitable political representation of all the ethnic groups irrespective of population size, and fostering dialogue between ethnic groups.
It is crucial that the State (both the governments) takes concrete steps toward resolution of the violent conflict then reconciliation and healing, promoting a narrative of inclusivity where diverse communities excluding illegal immigrants can coexist peacefully. Awareness campaigns and educational programmes can play an essential role in bridging divides, dismantling stereotypes, and nurturing understanding among different ethnic groups.
Furthermore, immediate measures to protect all affected populations, irrespective of their identity, must be prioritized. Abolishing the so called buffer zones, and installing security posts on mountain ridges, creating safe zones for all the communities, clearing the National Highways, securing areas with heavy troop presence, and establishing impartial conflict-resolution mechanisms can be lifesaving. The Government must also ensure and provide adequate compensation and rehabilitation for victims and affected families to rebuild their lives with dignity.
As Manipur navigates this troubled period, it is essential to acknowledge the voices of the Meitei community and other affected groups. The State must reclaim its responsibility to protect all citizens, ensuring that no community feels marginalized or unsafe. This can begin with a renewed commitment to human rights, where the voices of the victims – like those from the tragic November 11 incident – are heard, justice is pursued, and the cycle of violence is curtailed.
Furthermore, fostering unity among diverse ethnic groups can carve a path toward long-lasting peace and stability in Manipur. The State must promote dialogues between communities and strive for inclusive policies that reflect the aspirations of all individuals. The future of Manipur relies heavily on collective efforts to heal historical wounds, address structural divides and construct a society where all communities can thrive together without fear or suspicion.
The failure of the State to protect the lives and properties of the Meitei community amidst ongoing violence highlights a broader systemic breakdown in governance. The tragic incidents since May 2023 have resonated deeply within the community, fuelled by the horrific killings of innocent individuals and the alarming disappearance during this tumultuous period.
The resilience of the Meitei people, however, shines through their commitment to justice, their determination for coexistence and equitable development and their collective action against oppression. As the call for accountability grows louder, it is imperative for the Government to heed these voices, recognize their pain, and take immediate, meaningful steps toward ensuring safety and justice for all.
Thus, understanding the complexity of these inter-ethnic tensions and working towards a shared vision of peace and coexistence are vital in shaping a more secure and harmonious future for Manipur. In addressing these challenges, the State has an opportunity to recalibrate its approach and work toward a genuinely inclusive society that respects, honours, and protects all its citizens, regardless of their ethnicity or background.
Senior Editor: Imphal Review of Arts and Politics
