Manipur has been mired in an ethnic and political conflict since May 2023, primarily involving violent clashes between the Meitei community, which predominantly resides in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zomi-Hmars, which are tribal communities mostly living in the state's hilly areas. The violence, fueled by longstanding ethnic tensions, has resulted in hundreds of deaths, widespread displacement and the destruction of property. The state’s governance has collapsed and citizens have armed themselves against each other because of the failure of law and order. Several incidents of murder, rape, kidnapping, torture, sexual assault and arson have been reported on both sides. 

At the heart of the crisis is a demand by the Meiteis for Scheduled Tribe status, which would grant them affirmative action benefits in education, employment, and political representation. This demand has been fiercely opposed by the Kuki and Naga tribes, who fear that such a move would undermine their own rights and lead to greater dominance by the Meitei community.

The state government has been accused of neglect and mismanagement and the central government has failed to intervene effectively. Manipur’s chief minister Biren Singh, of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, has been criticised for inflaming tensions, particularly after calling the Kuki people “narco-terrorists” and stoking ethnic divisions. Despite strong calls for his removal, India’s prime minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah have allowed him to keep his post. 

In this episode of State of Southasia, Patricia Mukhim, a senior journalist from Shillong, highlights the state’s failure to address long-standing inequalities and warns of the current dangerous stalemate, with both communities disillusioned and no resolution in sight.

State of Southasia releases a new interview every two weeks.