Manipur marks third anniversary of ethnic conflict with rallies and shutdown

Rallies, public meetings and a shutdown marked the third anniversary of the ethnic conflict between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur. Groups from both communities paid tributes to victims while reiterating demands linked to security, identity and separate administration

Imphal/Churachandpur: Rallies, meetings and a shutdown marked the third anniversary of the ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur, which witnessed the deaths of at least 260 people, displacement of thousands of residents and imposition of President’s Rule for a year.

The violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities started on May 3, 2023, after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

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Meitei groups organised processions in several Imphal Valley districts seeking implementation of the NRC before the census and protection of Manipur’s administrative and territorial integrity on Sunday, while Kuki Zo organisations observed a shutdown in Kangpokpi district and held meetings in Churachandpur district to commemorate the victims of the violence.

Hundreds of people took part in a rally at Nambol in Bishnupur district, organised by the United Protection Committee.

“The rally was organised to highlight the ongoing suffering of the people and to demand accountability and justice for the victims of the conflict,” Convenor of United Protection Committee Th Lamjingba said.

At Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen in Imphal East district, representatives of the women’s organisation Meira Paibis and COCOMI took part in a public meeting on ‘three years of the Manipur crisis’.

“The public discourse is being held on the occasion of three years of conflict in the state in the context of armed attacks on the indigenous people of Manipur by Kuki terrorists,” said Shanta Nahakpam, spokesperson of the Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an umbrella body of several Meitei civil society organisations.

Floral tributes were also offered to photographs of more than 100 Meiteis killed in the conflict at separate events held across five valley districts.

In the Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district, business activities remained closed due to the 12-hour shutdown called from 6 am by the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) in the district, officials said.

The COTU is demanding a separate administration for the Kuki people, claiming that it has become impossible for the Kukis to live with the Meiteis.

Floral tributes were also offered at Martyrs’ Cemetery in Phaijang to honour more than 100 Kuki Zo victims of the conflict.

A ‘Separation Day from Meiteis’ was also observed by Kuki Zo groups at two places in Churachandpur.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) held the programme at Peace Ground, and the Zomi Council (ZC) organised an event at Martyrs Park.

Prayers were held for the victims of the violence at both places.

ITLF spokesperson Ginza Vualzong claimed that about 250 Kuki people were killed, 40,000 others were displaced, more than 7,000 houses were burnt and about 360 churches were destroyed.

“We can never forget these atrocities that we have faced,” Ginza said.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mainly in the hill districts.

President’s Rule was imposed in the state on February 13 last year after the BJP-led government headed by Biren Singh resigned on February 9 following months of ethnic violence.

The 60-member Assembly, which has tenure till 2027, had been put under suspended animation after President’s Rule was imposed.

It was revoked on February 4, hours before the formation of a new state government with BJP leader Y Khemchand Singh as the chief minister.