Manipur: A Humanitarian Crisis Ignored !

Dikumoni Hazarika

South Asia has seen a staggering number of internally displaced people (IDPs) over the years, with 8.2 million reported in 2023.

However, amidst this regional crisis, the northeastern Indian state of Manipur emerged as a stark outlier. Of the 69,000 internal displacements recorded in South Asia in 2023, Manipur accounted for a shocking 97%, with 67,000 individuals forced to flee their homes.

In other words, Manipur recorded around 97% of all internal displacements occurring in South Asia in 2023. Over 75% of those displaced remain within the state, living in temporary shelters, while around 20% have sought refuge in neighbouring states such as Mizoram, Nagaland, and Assam.

Alarmingly, the government’s response to this volatile situation has been inadequate, failing to provide reliable data on displacement or establish effective mechanisms to investigate and resolve the violence.

Manipur’s diverse ethnic landscape, comprising multiple tribes and communities, presents a complex challenge for conflict resolution. Each community has its own set of demands, fears, and aspirations, which often clash with those of others.

The conflict in Manipur emanated from a contentious demand by the majority Meitei community for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, which triggered fears among the Kuki community of losing their access to affirmative action benefits.

What began as protests escalated into widespread violence, destroying homes, businesses, and places of worship. The ethnic divide is stark Meiteis control the lowlands, while Kukis dominate the hill areas. The state is now a patchwork of hostile ethnic zones, with movement across territories often resulting in death.

This conflict is not just about land or resources; it is deeply entrenched in ethnic, economic, and religious identities. The crisis has not only claimed over 200 lives but has also displaced more than 60,000 individuals, with women and children bearing the brunt of the violence, including reports of sexual assaults and severe trauma.

Children are being forced out of school as families struggle to survive in overcrowded relief camps.Prolonged internet shutdowns and heavy militarization under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) have isolated affected communities, hindered relief efforts, and deepened ethnic divisions.

Amnesty International stated in a recent report that- A member of a civil society organization engaged in relief and rehabilitation efforts in Manipur highlighted the challenges posed by road blockades and poor infrastructure, which significantly hinder aid delivery.

He explained that it often takes up to 15 hours for their staff to reach affected areas, particularly in the minority Kuki-dominated hill regions. “All development, infrastructure, and institutions are concentrated in the valley, which constitutes just 10% of Manipur,” he observed, emphasizing the glaring inequities.

Human Rights organizations worldwide believe that both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Indian government and the Manipur state government have failed to address the violence effectively, end the widespread displacement, or safeguard human rights in the State. Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s administration has been accused of polarizing policies favouring the Meitei community.

Allegations of government support for vigilante groups, combined with inflammatory statements about the Kuki population, have exacerbated tensions.The crisis in Manipur is not merely a failure of state mechanisms but a profound challenge to the nation’s moral and democratic principles.

A high-level independent committee must be established to investigate the violence, ensure accountability, and bring the perpetrators to justice. The safety and rehabilitation of the displaced, particularly women and children who remain the most vulnerable, must be prioritized through robust and inclusive relief efforts.

It is equally critical to initiate dialogue between the Meitei and Kuki communities to address longstanding grievances and advance reconciliation.

While the global community, including India, strives to mediate and resolve conflicts like the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, it is disheartening to witness our homeland burning in silence. Addressing this humanitarian emergency demands immediate and decisive action from both the central and state governments.

DIKUMONI HAZARIKA, PhD. Research Scholar (Political Science), Panjab University

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