The state of Manipur has been engulfed in a devastating conflict since 2023, characterized by ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities. This ongoing strife has led to over 260 fatalities and displaced more than 65,000 people. The conflict has turned civilians into warriors, wielding improvised weapons like rockets and mortars in a desperate bid for dominance. Security forces, caught in the crossfire, struggle to maintain peace and prevent the escalation of violence. Despite some surrendering of arms, a vast array of weapons remains unaccounted for, threatening further chaos.
Selina Mairembam, a 13-year-old victim of this conflict, narrowly survived a bomb attack that left her with severe physical scars and psychological trauma. Her experience is not isolated, as many young Meitei and Kuki civilians have suffered or died from mishandling explosives. The widespread availability of homemade weapons has compounded the human toll of this war, exacerbating the destruction of lives and property.
Security officials have expressed their concern over the unprecedented nature of civilian warfare in Manipur. Improvised rockets, known as "pumpi," and makeshift wheeled mortars have become commonplace among Kuki-Zo and Meitei fighters, respectively. This alarming trend has led to the proliferation of thousands of weapons and ammunition in civilian hands, contributing to the humanitarian crisis gripping the state.
The Genesis of Conflict
Manipur's descent into chaos can be traced back to long-standing ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities. A senior security official recounts witnessing the conflict's origins:
“Within no time, right before our eyes, we saw a state slipping into an unprecedented conflict. We felt helpless because these are our own people.”
The official describes a state divided, with two ethnic groups virtually at war and security forces positioned as intermediaries.
The conflict erupted with both sides acquiring or constructing weapons out of necessity and fear. The Meitei fighters developed makeshift wheeled mortars while the Kuki-Zo fighters crafted improvised rockets from galvanised iron and metal pipes. These weapons, once meant for protection, morphed into tools of aggression as violence spiraled out of control.
Despite efforts by some fighters to surrender their arms, the prevalence of weapons among civilians persists. The inability to effectively de-weaponise the state from the onset has been lamented by experts like Paulianthang:
“If they had intended to really de-weaponise the state from day one, maybe we wouldn’t have seen this scale of violence and mass displacement. No one won this war. Only Manipur lost – its people, its peace, its future.”
The Human Cost
The impact of this conflict on human lives is immeasurable. Selina Mairembam's story is a poignant reminder of the innocence lost amidst the chaos. She expresses her fears succinctly:
“I’m always scared. I don’t want to be scared.”
Unfortunately, her experience is mirrored by countless others who have suffered due to the indiscriminate use of bombs and mortars.
The reckless deployment of such weapons in civilian areas has drawn condemnation from military figures like Major Digvijay Singh Rawat:
“Even the military avoids using mortar bombs in villages with civilians – even when armed rebels might be hiding there. It is a grave human rights violation [to use such weapons in civilian areas].”
Tragically, many young civilians have perished while attempting to use these makeshift arms without proper training. Their deaths underscore the perils posed by widespread militarization among non-combatants.
Families have been torn apart by this conflict. Neimnilhing Lhungdim recounts the haunting experience after her husband fell victim to a mortar bomb:
“He was hit by a mortar bomb. When we reached the hospital, my kids and I could not even recognise his face. My kids had to see his exploded body.”
The loss of loved ones has left indelible scars on Manipur's populace, fueling sentiments of regret and introspection.
The Path Forward
The ongoing conflict in Manipur poses a significant humanitarian crisis that demands urgent intervention. Many displaced individuals require food, shelter, and medical care as they grapple with the aftermath of violence. The Indian government has taken notice, with high-ranking officials visiting the state to assess the situation.
Despite these efforts, the path to peace remains fraught with challenges. Security forces continue their attempts to defuse tensions while advocating for a decisive approach to curtail weapon proliferation:
“Two ethnic groups are virtually at war, and security forces are caught in the middle, trying to defuse tensions as intermediaries. Our priority has always been to prevent violence and maintain peace on the ground. But had the state taken a more decisive approach early on, so many weapons would not have fallen into civilian hands, and mass displacement could have been avoided.”
The sentiments shared by individuals such as Neikim reflect a longing for resolution:
“I wish this war had never started. I wish the government had done something – anything.”
This yearning for peace is echoed by LS Mangboi Lhungdim:
“This war was not worth it.”
