It has been nearly three months since the civil war-like violence broke out in Manipur, but it seems that not many people in India are talking about it, not even the media, does this show our ignorance towards the northeastern part of India?
What’s happening?
Manipur, a state located in the northeastern part of India has fallen prey to violence and turmoil. As the violence and disturbance re-intensifies, curfews have become the new normal. People have started to live in constant fear, and many have also fled the state, leaving their homes. Like any other northeastern state that had a turbulent history, the geography of the region, and demography have been said to be the highlighted part of this delicate history. Manipur shares its borders with Myanmar, Assam and Mizoram. The state is also very near to Bangladesh.
In the present times, the disturbance has happened due to the troubled relations between the Kukis and Meiteis. Meitei accounts for 53% of the total population of Manipur. On May 3rd, ATSUM a student union in Manipur called for a Tribal solidarity march which turned violent as clashes broke out in protest to demand ST status for the Meteis, this would provide them with wider benefits in various sectors.
Knowingly or unknowingly?
The violence which began on 3 May 2023 has continued, two communities from the same state, and from the same country are fighting together. The hate is such that buffer zones have been created Meiteis can’t go to Kuki areas and Kukis can’t go to Meitei areas. A vast distinction has been made between valleys (where meiteis reside) and hills (where kukis reside). Crimes against humanity are taking place. While nobody was talking about it and the Indian media was not at all focusing on it, on 19 July, shock waves were sent across the nation as a video of two women went viral, the video is really disturbing.
If Manipur people are suffering, then it’s Indians who are suffering, if Manipur is burning then India is burning.
This is not the only case of crime against women in Manipur violence, as we move ahead in time much more spine-chilling, gruesome news has emerged about women being weaponised and assaulted during the violence. Everyone in Manipur still lives under constant terror that violence may erupt. As the highly shameful video went viral it was then people started to break their silence, it was also then known that this incident took place on 4 May when violence just started.
Situations in Manipur are of great concern, and what’s even more concerning is that when the violence started not many people were talking about it, Is this due to ignorance by the non-Northeasterners? People from other parts of the country who are not from Manipur should not ignore what is happening either knowingly or unknowingly, tremendous support should be extended to the people, what’s even more depressing is that the violence was not able to attract much attention even by the mainstream media who kept showing about other unnecessary things and everything except MANIPUR. Due to this ignorance people of the northeast may feel isolated, every citizen of the country should talk about it and extend their hands of support to Manipur in this civil war-like situation.
This is not the only case of crime against women in Manipur violence, as we move ahead in time much more spine-chilling, gruesome news has emerged about women being weaponized and assaulted during the violence. Everyone in Manipur still lives in constant terror and violence may erupt. As the highly shameful video went viral it was then people started to break their silence, it was also then known that this incident took place on 4 May when violence just started.
The situation in Manipur is of great concern, and what’s even more concerning is that when the violence started not many people were talking about it, is this due to ignorance by the non-Northeasterners? People from other parts of the country who are not from Manipur should not ignore what is happening either knowingly or unknowingly, huge support should be extended to the people, what’s even more depressing is that the violence was not able to attract much attention even by the mainstream media who kept showing about other unnecessary things and everything except MANIPUR. Due to this ignorance, people of the northeast may feel isolated, every citizen of the country should talk about it and extend their hands of support to Manipur in this civil war-like situation.
Fake news, working as venom
When it comes to the situation of social media in India, it is a confluence of many ideas, it is a way by which people express their opinions on various issues, but fake news has been a longstanding issue. The highly shameful incident of two women being stripped and then gang-raped was caught on camera and went viral across the country then the gravity of the situation was revealed, later it was also known that this incident occurred due to one fake news.
During the initials of the violence on 3 May, a photo went viral across several groups in Manipur according to the video a Meitei girl was raped and later killed, and her body was wrapped in plastic, as an act of revenge women from the opposite community were targeted, but later it was revealed that the incident which the photo talked about did not occur in Manipur, it was the picture of a girl killed in Delhi. Fake news is a huge issue and in conflicts like these, it can be a major threat to humanity.
And yes, people are getting effected
Amidst all these everyday lives of people have come to a halt. Curfews and internet bans have become the new normal. The state also faces logistics and transportation issues.
Women, as often happens in such situations, have been disproportionately affected. The heinous acts of violence against them, as seen in the disturbing video that went viral, underscore the depths to which humanity can sink during times of crisis. These atrocities strip away not only their dignity but also the fabric of trust that binds societies together. The emotional scars borne by survivors will continue to reverberate long after the violence subsides.
It is disheartening that this turmoil has not garnered the attention it warrants, especially in mainstream media. The lives disrupted and destroyed in Manipur deserve a spotlight; they deserve a collective outcry of solidarity and support. The relative silence surrounding this crisis further isolates the region and reinforces the sense of being neglected by the rest of the nation.
In these dark times, however, there is a glimmer of hope. The power of empathy and education cannot be understated. As awareness grows, a groundswell of concern can pave the way for meaningful change. Communities from other parts of India must recognize that the pain of Manipur is the pain of the entire nation. By actively engaging in dialogue, promoting accurate information, and advocating for the protection of human rights, each citizen can contribute to healing the wounds that afflict Manipur.
The situation in Manipur is a stark reminder of how conflicts can upend lives and fracture societies. The impacts are far-reaching, from displacement and fear to the erosion of trust and dignity. As citizens of a diverse and interconnected nation, it is our collective responsibility to stand united against such violence, ignorance, and injustice. By shedding light on suffering, extending a helping hand, and advocating for change, we can demonstrate that empathy and solidarity have the power to mend even the deepest wounds. Only through a concerted effort can we begin to heal, reconcile, and build a better future for Manipur. For now, the people of Manipur hope for their voices to be heard and return to normalcy.
The shadows may be long, and the challenges may be great, but the power of collective action and human compassion shines even brighter. In the heart of Manipur’s struggle, let us find the courage to rise, the wisdom to unite, and the strength to create a world where no voice goes unheard, and no suffering goes unnoticed and that’s the reason why we really need to talk about Manipur.