Unending Spiral of Violence

Smruti Deshpande

On June 29, fresh tensions gripped Imphal as thousands of people took to the streets to decry the tragic deaths of two individuals at Haraothel village at the border of Kangpokpi district. As per a report by the India Today, the lifeless body of one of the deceased was brought to Khwairamband women’s market in Imphal, attracting a large gathering of mourners from various parts of the state capital. The killings happened when armed miscreants opened fire at Haraothel village. Tangnaum and L Munlai villages under the Kangpokpi district were also attacked. Security forces are reported to have responded to the firing with additional columns being brought in.

Manipur is experiencing large-scale violence with two of its communities—the tribal Kukis and non-tribal ethnic majority Meiteis—clashing over economic, social and political benefits, and quotas given to the tribes. The Meitei community has been demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The conflict, which began on May 3, has completed two months.

As the incident unfolded, women led the charge in expressing their contempt for the Biren Singh-led government for not containing the violence. As per the report, the women even questioned the Prime Minister’s silence on the matter. “The Manipur government has failed its people. We will not be silent spectators any longer. We are ready to take action, with or without Biren,” a woman protester was quoted as telling India Today. The Rapid Action Force (RAF) was deployed at the scene. As talks failed between the protesters and the security forces, a confrontational situation arose and to quell the protest teargas shells were fired.

On the same day Rahul Gandhi, the first Opposition political leader to visit Manipur, reached the state on a two-day visit. His itinerary included visiting relief camps and meeting with families affected by the weeks-long violence in the state. The day he reached, his convoy was stopped by the police in the Bishnupur area while heading towards Churachandpur, where the clashes began. He then had to take a helicopter to Churachandpur. A day later, Gandhi met ‘like-minded’ party leaders, the United Naga Council (UNC) leaders, and members of civil society organisations in Imphal. He also visited relief camps in Moirang.

As per a statement issued by the chief minister’s office (CMO) in early June, a total of 37,450 people were in 272 relief camps. This number is said to have gone up to 60,000. At least 98 people have lost their lives and 310 others have been injured in the ethnic violence. With the conflict not sho