Manipur remembers two years of racial violence in victims

Kuki people looked at pictures of people who died of racial violence in the “Memorial Wall” memorial in Churachandpur, Manipur. |Photo source: Reuters

The closure marks the second anniversary of the racial conflict in Manipur, as Kukizo and Meti communities remember victims of violence in their respective dominance areas on Saturday.

Meitei-Maifity Imphal Valley’s educational institutions and businesses have been closed in response to calls from the Social Organization’s Business Group (COCOMI), a social organization’s business group that participates in the public conventional tradition of Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal.

People in the hills composed of Kuki-Zo tribes have also observed the closure of the Zomi Student Union and the Kuki Student Organization.

During the Cocomi event, floral tributes were provided to honor the victims. Speakers, including scholars, prominent figures and leaders of civil society organizations, call for peace, justice, conflict resolution and the protection of the integrity of Manipur's territory.

The tenor of the Imphal Convention is in stark contrast to the Day of Separation, the theme of the anniversary event organized by the Forum on Leaders of Indigenous Tribes, which has been defeating the rights of the Kuki-Zo people. The highlight of the forum's plan is the gathering of hundreds of people in the “Memorial Wall” of Churacandpur to pay tribute to the conflicting Kuki-Zo victims.

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The focus of the “Separation Day” is on the demand for an independent government from Kuki-Zo, which has been in momentum since the outbreak of ethnic conflicts two years ago.

Security has been enhanced in different regions of the state, especially in Kuki-Zo and Meitei areas. However, no reports have been reported.

Ethnic violence erupted on May 3, 2023, as tribes in the mountainous areas rally united to protest the state government’s so-called migration, granting the arranged tribal status to Meiteis, which is concentrated in the Imphal Valley, which together with the Giribam region account for about 10% of the Manipur region.

The violence killed more than 250 people and about 60,000 were displaced. Most displaced persons continue to live in relief camps.

This is the impact of the conflict, where Mets and Kukizos are divided by race and cannot risk each other's territory. The center tried to bridge the gap on March 8 by opening highways (Manipur’s lifeline connecting the Imphal valley to the country’s Manipur Mountains and through the hills inhabited by Kuki-Zo).

Nongthombam Biren Singh's attempt backfires and claimed life in the process after resigning as Chief Minister of Manipur on February 9.

Manipur was ruled by the president after the Bharatiya Janata party failed to reach a consensus on Mr Singh's successor. A few days ago, 21 MLAs from the State National Democratic Union (NDA) wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trade Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding that a “popular government” be installed in the state immediately.

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress demanded a new election because the “Twin Engine Government” and the president’s rule failed to bring back the peace and normal state of Manipur unless free movement and the return of displaced people were ensured.