Deadly violence has plunged Manipur, an Indian state bordering Myanmar, into turmoil for over two months. Clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities have led to their complete segregation. Soutik Biswas of the BBC explores the profound division and its consequences in Churachandpur, the tribal district where the violence originated.
In Churachandpur, mourners gathered at a bamboo hut memorial to honor the victims of recent ethnic violence. The Kuki community, mostly Christian, mourned the loss of their members in clashes with the Meiteis, who are primarily Hindus.
Since early May, clashes between the two communities have rocked Manipur, resulting in over 130 deaths and displacing nearly 60,000 people within their own land.
The Kuki community now demands “territorial autonomy” as a form of separate and independent administration, while the Meiteis vehemently oppose any dismemberment of Manipur.
The ethnic divide has created bitterness and deep separation. The Kuki people, numbering around 300,000 in Churachandpur, find themselves isolated from the Meitei-dominated Imphal valley, leading to a halt in interactions and work between the communities. Internet access has been cut off, exacerbating the sense of isolation.
Traveling to Imphal has become dangerous for the Kukis, preventing them from accessing the nearest airport. Instead, they are forced to undertake a grueling 380km road journey to Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram state, to catch a flight. Prices of essential goods have skyrocketed due to difficulties in transportation.
The refugee camps, accommodating over 12,000 Kuki evacuees, face shortages of medicines and other essential supplies. The hospital in Churachandpur is grappling with a staffing crisis and limited specialized care. Visits by medical professionals from Imphal have ceased, and emergency cases must be airlifted to Guwahati, over 500km away.
The division has disrupted lives, causing displacement and uncertainty. Kuki residents, including students, have been uprooted from schools and homes, seeking refuge in relief camps. Villages have been abandoned, and the fear of violence looms large.
The ethnic separation has resulted in the loss of connectivity and a sense of siege. The town of Churachandpur bears the scars of burnt Meitei houses and shops, with spray-painted signs proclaiming “Lamka,” an alternate name preferred by the Kukis.
Although some semblance of normalcy has returned to the town, the deep divide remains. Peace is fragile, and communities are completely separated.
The devastating consequences of the ongoing violence have led to a breakdown in trust and understanding between the Kuki and Meitei communities. The once-intertwined lives of these groups are now torn apart, leaving Manipur in a state of despair and division.
This is the first part of a two-part series reporting from the violence-affected Kuki and Meitei areas.