Churachandpur, Manipur: The lingering ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur, which erupted over a year and a half ago, continues to grip the northeastern state with no resolution in sight. Despite periodic lulls, the clashes reignite, keeping the region on edge. In an attempt to curb the unrest, the central government has re-imposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in five districts, but the fragile peace remains elusive.
On Tuesday, the Churachandpur district witnessed a poignant protest as hundreds of people marched through the streets carrying empty coffins. The demonstrators, led by the Joint Philanthropic Organisation (JPO), demanded justice for ten individuals killed in a recent encounter with security forces in Jiribam. The empty coffins symbolized their call for accountability and justice for the dead.
The Jiribam Incident: Competing Narratives Spark Controversy
According to the Manipur Police, the encounter unfolded last week when suspected militants, disguised in security force uniforms and armed with sophisticated weapons, launched an attack on the Borobekra police station and a CRPF camp at Jakuradhor in Jiribam. Security forces retaliated, resulting in the deaths of ten suspected insurgents. The police reported seizing a significant cache of arms and ammunition from the site, suggesting an organized assault.
However, Kuki-Zo groups disputed the official version, claiming that those killed were village volunteers, not militants. The contested nature of the incident has further deepened the rift between the communities.
Protest and Memorandum: A Call for Justice and Autonomy
The protest rally began at 11 am, with participants holding placards demanding justice and a separate administration for the hill areas. The march concluded at the Wall of Remembrance, a somber memorial dedicated to Kuki lives lost in the ethnic violence since May 2023. A memorandum addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah was later submitted to the district administration, underscoring the protesters’ demands.
Manipur’s Fragile State: A Year of Violence and Loss
The ongoing ethnic clashes, primarily between the Meitei community in the Imphal valley and the Kuki-Zo groups residing in the surrounding hills, have claimed over 220 lives and displaced thousands since May 2023. The violence has left a trail of destruction, rendering parts of the state unrecognizable.
The unrest in Jiribam, an area that had largely escaped the turmoil until this year, escalated in June following the discovery of a mutilated farmer’s body in a field. The incident ignited ethnic tensions, plunging the diverse region into the broader state-wide conflict.
As protests intensify and violence persists, Manipur remains trapped in a cycle of grief and unrest. The central government faces mounting pressure to address the crisis, restore order, and ensure justice for all affected communities.
