Manipur’s Jiribam region has recently descended once again to turmoil, with violent clashes igniting fresh chaos. At the epicenter of this turmoil, allegations of multiple attacks targeting churches and tribal homes have sent shockwaves throughout the community. On November 17, 2024, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) announced alarming updates—five churches, a school, and numerous tribal residences were set ablaze by militants from rival groups.
The statement from the ITLF clearly emphasized their condemnation of the incidents, denouncing the failure of local security forces who were supposed to safeguard these buildings. This perceived lack of protection is particularly troubling, considering there was already a Supreme Court order mandatin to protect structures impacted by the ethnic unrest across the state.
“How many more churches need to burn before someone recognizes the horrific reality we are living through?” the ITLF lamented as they highlighted the tragic fact: over 360 churches have been destroyed since violence erupted earlier this year. This has often been referred to as more than mere clashes; it’s perceived as nothing less than a religious war.
The situation intensified following unprovoked attacks by armed groups on Jiribam, where reports emerged indicating militia assaults began with the premeditated assault at Zairawn village. Here, violence escalated after the murder of a local woman, raising the stakes significantly and provoking outrage among the regional populace.
Adding weight to these claims, the ITLF shared details about Haojoel Doungel, a 27-year-old who was brutally killed, his body discovered near Jiribam, displaying signs of severe torture. The ITLF's claims resonate with increased tension, urging the Assam government to step up vigilance to avoid the spillover of violence across borders.
This civil unrest follows longstanding issues rooted deeply within the ethnically diverse fabric of Manipur, particularly resulting from rising tensions between the Meitei community and the Kuki-Zo tribes. JD(U) MLA Abdul Nasir recently characterized the killings of several women and children as acts of “cowardice” and called for the perpetrators to be labeled terrorists by the central government.
On November 11, after armed clashes claimed the lives of several militants, the escalation of violence included the abduction and subsequent slayings of six individuals—three women and children—identified as members of the Meitei community, allegedly taken from their shelters amid the chaos. The search efforts led authorities to discover their bodies submerged in rivers on either side of the inter-state boundaries, heightening the concern of multiple parties.
These dreadful incidents sparked widespread protests throughout the Imphal Valley. Demonstrators laid siege to the homes of various MLAS and ministers, seeking accountability and justice for the rising death toll and destruction.
Under mounting pressure, the National People’s Party (NPP) withdrew its support from the current BJP-led administration, accusing the local government of failing to control the unrest and restore peace. Despite these withdrawals, the ruling BJP, holding 32 seats, remains firmly entrenched, keeping power through additional support from allied parties.
Since rage erupted over the brutal assaults, the overarching fears of generational grudges have surfaced, posing strong questions about who is responsible for the breakdown of law and order. It provokes the concerns of the ITLF, where it believes radical outfits continue to go unchecked, primarily arming themselves with official weaponry seized during prior violent encounters.
While the ethnic violence between the Meiteis—predominantly settled within the valley—and the Kuki-Zo tribes, who reside mainly on the outskirts, has left over 220 people dead since it flared, there are widespread fears of potential retaliatory violence. The Kuki-Zo are arming themselves to protect their lands, amid government expectations of peace to be instilled via intervention.
Calls for substantial intervention have echoed intensively from the community as the violent clashes raise severe questions about freedom of worship, the right to community safety, and government accountability. Each battle is more than just physical; it is viewed as ideological—a fight over identity, power, and existence within the Indian state.
Looking forward, locals and activists hope for new resolutions, discussing peace protocols to stop the bloodshed and rekindle communal harmony. The ITLF's statements encapsulate the cry for justice as they continue to reach out to the central government for seriousness and legislative actions to address what has become synonymous with an existential crisis for many living within these divided land borders.
The humanitarian crisis spiraling from this conflict brings together leaders and families alike, seeking to end the sectarian bloodshed and build bridges toward reconciliation, rather than destruction. Resolution efforts must come hand-in-hand with strong political will and increased awareness of the communal challenges faced daily by its inhabitants.
