Manipur violence: Two years on, Manipur still lingers for healing touch

Two years since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in May 2023, the state remains scarred by unrest. With repeated internet shutdowns, ongoing displacement, and the resignation of the Chief Minister, normalcy still feels out of reach.

(Image Credit: ANI)

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Security forces had been deployed in massive numbers across Imphal during one of the peak phases of the ethnic clashes. Streets were heavily barricaded, as the administration tried to contain escalating violence between communities. The presence of riot gear and bulletproof shields reflected the gravity of the unrest.

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At the peak of the violence, vehicles had been set ablaze in broad daylight, turning residential lanes into scenes of chaos and terror. The thick plumes of smoke that once rose above quiet neighbourhoods had become haunting symbols of the unrest, marking how deep the divisions had run and how swiftly normalcy had unraveled.

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In one of the most striking images of the unrest, Meitei women had taken to the streets at night with flaming torches, demanding justice and peace. Their fiery march had symbolized resilience and anger against ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur. This protest had become emblematic of civilian resistance.

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Amid rising tensions, students had taken to peaceful demonstrations, holding placards that echoed anxieties about the future and the fragile unity of their homeland. With appeals to protect Manipur’s territorial integrity and safeguard tomorrow, their presence had symbolised a generation caught between conflict and hope, demanding a resolution grounded in justice and peace.

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Mourners, mostly young people, gather in solemn tribute around the body of a deceased individual believed to be a victim of the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur. Floral garlands drape the coffin as friends and family offer prayers and final goodbyes. Set against the backdrop of a government facility, likely a hospital or morgue block, the image underscores the human cost of the prolonged conflict. This moment reflects the grief gripping communities across the region, where political and ethnic divides have led to the tragic loss of many lives, particularly among the youth.

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In a charged moment on the streets of Manipur, a woman gestures assertively as she faces off with a line of security personnel. The photograph captures the intensity of civil resistance, as communities—particularly women—stand their ground, voicing anger and anguish against heavy militarisation. With CRPF officers forming a visible wall, the scene reflects the fragile and often volatile relationship between the people and the state during times of conflict.

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During one of the peak moments of the unrest, thousands of women had marched in coordinated defiance, wrapping themselves in vibrant phaneks and headscarves. Carrying placards condemning terrorism and calling to save Manipur, this mass mobilisation had reflected the scale of local resistance and the unity among the Meitei community against the perceived erasure of their rights and identity.

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In the heart of Delhi, Kuki-Zo community members stage a peaceful protest, demanding justice and accountability for ongoing violence in Manipur. The sign reflects deepening resentment and pain.

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Security personnel walk in formation along a rural road in the hills of Manipur, maintaining vigil in a region deeply scarred by ongoing ethnic strife. Armed and alert, the forces appear to be conducting a routine patrol, likely in a sensitive zone where clashes have previously erupted between Kuki and Meitei groups. The surrounding landscape—lush and mountainous—belies the tensions that have simmered in these areas since the violence first escalated in May 2023. Their presence represents both an attempt at restoring normalcy and the heavy militarization that has come to define everyday life in the state's divided terrain.

(Image Credit: ANI)