The BJP had replaced the Congress in Manipur in 2017 and five years later again in 2022 the Lotus party returned to power in the state with its alliance partners.
The unprecedented violence throughout 2023 from May 3rd and tension and some skirmishes prevailed and still Chief Minister N Biren Singh has survived.
Of course politically people spoke against the double-engine government during Lok Sabha elections and the BJP lost Inner Manipur parliamentary seat while its two allies NPF lost Outer Manipur and even NDPP lost the lone Lok Sabha seat.
The basic social fabric of Manipur lies eroded by continued social instability.
The toll on the physical and even mental well-being in such a situation has been staggering. Mutual suspicion has reached its zenith.
Just driving in a taxi or a private car from Imphal to nearby Churachandpur; there are half a dozen check posts underlining the need for extra ordinary precaution.
"You may come from Delhi or Bambai, checking will happen 10 times if necessary. We want to know about you and also whether your wife is a Kuki or a Meitei," said a a security personnel from among the security officials of different ranks belonging to various security organisations from Manipur police, BSF, CRPF, Garhwals and Assam Rifles and probably a few more.
And unwittingly when I said, "my wife is from Tripura"... there was a minor 'discussion' whether she is a tribal (and the specific). The fact that as an 'obedient son' to my father - I married a Bengali did help the cause that day.
Three communities share one thing for certain in post-2023 conflict Manipur -- Pangals (Manipuri Muslims), Nagas and Mayangs (outsiders). So as a Bong from Delhi - I was at liberty to land in Imphal and move to Churachandpur also.
In lighter vein, I did enjoy the moment as in my 'beloved states' of Nagaland and Mizoram - I was expected to be singled out as 'plain manu' and 'Vai naupang' from time to time.
The life truly has taken a full circle; but only regret is I cannot tell my parents -- now both 'deceased' --- why I was happy about this unique honour -- of sharing brotherhood/fraternity with Nagas and Manipuri Muslims/Pangals.
At the Kuki Inpi Relief camp in Churachandpur, you meet the inmates -- men, women and children.
The coffee coloured dry mud is all across his feet and over a pair of cheap sandals.
Sitting cross legged on ground the 32-year-old youngman would raise his hand frequently trying to protest against the 'heavenly powers' for the sufferings brought to him and his ailing wife and kids.
Some of them have started doing some cane works -- making sitting Murrahs (tools). "We get some money.... It's not even pea nuts... but some nuts," he would try to make things appear lighter but his moist eyes would betray him.
There are numerous others. Holding a child on her back - a mother of three also is in melancholic mood.
The tone and tenor of the relief inmates suggest there is a different tale from each family - but of tragedy brought by unexpected hatred.
There are families and women taking shelter. "We have forgotten what's feminine shyness.... just walk into my house," said another woman also wailing.
"We have mulitple problems but there is no one to help us," complained another resident at the camp.
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| Writing on the wall, as they put it |
Their complaint is not new.
In February 2034, a large number of inmates living in the relief camps in Churachandpur, in a symbolic "empty pot" protest - sought to allege that the ration supplied by the Centre stopped reaching them after the February 15 that years.
In fact even two members of the Kuki-Zo tribes were killed in the protest.
"... Due to rumours spread by antisocial and irresponsible elements in Churachandpur, a mob of 800 to 1,000 people ransacked and burnt the DC and SP offices on February 15.
Twelve trucks and buses parked in the office complex were vandalised and burnt, two of which were carrying relief material for camps in Churachandpur district," Manipur Joint Secretary (Home) Mayengbam Veto Singh had said in the statement.
Those who once called Churachandpur and adjoining areas 'home' are now living in deplorable conditions, crammed into a small, dilapidated buildings/schools-turned-relief camps.
The state capital Imphal region and the once peaceful district of Churachandpur in Manipur was rocked by violence on May 3, 2023, forcing 170 Meitei residents to flee their homes since then. Their houses were set ablaze.
But according to security officials there was not even a single Meitei death in Churachandpur as the people were quickly provided with 'adequate protection' and evacuated.
"We faced other problems like snakes slithering in the camp....open drains also spread diseases," said a RSS-backed Seva Bharati volunteer at a Meitei relief camp.
Frustration is gradually emerging as a key element of emotion. The relief camps - obviously for both Meiteis and Kukis and other Zo people offer minimal services and shelter.
In most cases, cloth curtains separate families and mosquito nets draped over beds laid on the floor.
Many children had fallen unwell, and medical aid though scarce generally come from security forces. "We do out bit," said a young soldier associated with the 9 Sector Assam Rifles.
Across Bishnupur and Imphal regions, Meitei women in the relief camps are finding new ways to survive, turning to plastic bag-making.
This is to earn a meagre income.
I have covered a few other human tragedies - killings in Gujarat of 2002 and even natural calamities such as the Bhuj earthquake in Rajasthan.
Yet the small lesson that ought to be learnt in every case is that - Unless the wounds are completely healed, there cannot be much difference in terms of impact vis-a-vis mutual trust and general improvement in the situation.
"I am certainly not happy with what all is going. As in the second and third week of January 2025, things have improved a lot. But we are maintaining all kinds of precautions. That there is no fresh violence is just a stopgap kind stuff. We ought to be extra vigilant," said a security official in Kuki-stronghold Churachandpur.
"Of course there is some relief as government offices have started functioning in Imphal and some places and people and even social workers are able to come out of their homes," said social worker Kennedy Haokip, a Kuki.
But it is true, he and other social workers say a large part of the state including in Meitei-stronghold Imphal region and Kuki and Zo people-dominated Churachandpur remain like "fortress" with security forces virtually everywhere.
ends
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