A Nation’s Silence as a State Burned
On May 3, 2023, the northeastern state of Manipur was thrust into widespread ethnic violence, following a Tribal Solidarity March organized by the All-Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) in Churachandpur. The march was organized in response to a Manipur High Court directive that recommended the state government consider granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community, the majority population residing in the Imphal Valley.
The move sparked anxiety among tribal groups—particularly the Kuki-Zomi community—who feared losing constitutional land protections and political representation. What began as a peaceful demonstration soon spiraled into violent clashes, revealing longstanding ethnic tensions between the valley-dwelling Meiteis and the hill-based tribal populations.
Scale of the Violence: Verified Humanitarian Crisis
According to data from Manipur Police, and reports by The Hindu, BBC News, and Indian Express, the unrest led to:
175 confirmed deaths
Nearly 60,000 people displaced
4,786 homes burned or destroyed
380+ religious institutions (churches and temples) vandalized
Over 5,600 weapons and 600,000+ rounds of ammunition looted from police armouries
Amid the chaos, opportunistic looting of homes, businesses, and government facilities—including police stations—was reported across both conflict zones. Armed civilian groups emerged from both sides, turning the ethnic conflict into a heavily militarized standoff.
Gendered Violence: Verified Incidents and Misinformation
One of the most alarming elements of the crisis was the documented sexual violence against women. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) confirmed that two Kuki women were allegedly stripped, paraded naked, and gang-raped by a mob in Kangpokpi district on May 4, just a day after violence erupted. The investigation led to multiple arrests and charges, highlighting the use of gender-based violence as a weapon in ethnic conflict.
In contrast, another viral video that surfaced in July 2023—widely circulated on social media platforms—was later debunked by BBC News. The video, which claimed to show a similar act of violence, was found to be from an unrelated incident outside Manipur. However, by the time it was fact-checked, the damage had been done—public anger surged, and misinformation had already fueled further hostility.
Social Media: A Double-Edged Sword
Social media played a significant role during the crisis. While it helped expose on-ground realities that were initially underreported in mainstream national media, it also became a conduit for unverified claims, communal propaganda, and doctored visuals.
Some Indians admitted they first learned of the conflict—and even of Manipur’s existence as a state—through Instagram and Twitter posts.
However, with the rise of fake news and inflammatory content, the Manipur government imposed an internet ban that lasted for over 100 days, aiming to stem the spread of violence. Civil society groups criticized the move for cutting off vital communication, especially in already isolated hill regions.
“In times like these, I rely on credible news sources and try to understand what’s genuinely right and wrong,” said a college student from Manipur currently studying in Hyderabad.
Collateral Damage: Students and Health Workers at Risk
As the situation deteriorated, medical students studying in Churachandpur Medical College had to be evacuated for their safety. Located in one of the most affected districts, the college was surrounded by conflict zones, making normal operations impossible. Health workers reported challenges in reaching patients, and several hospitals ran short of supplies due to blocked roads and curfews.
Education, healthcare, and emergency services in both tribal and Meitei-dominated areas were severely disrupted, revealing how deeply the violence affected everyday life.
Governance in Crisis: Administrative Fallout
Mounting pressure over administrative inaction led to the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh in January 2025. The situation had deteriorated to such an extent that the Government of India imposed President’s Rule on February 1, 2025, under Article 356 of the Constitution, effectively dissolving the state assembly and transferring administrative control to the Centre.
The move was viewed as a last resort to stabilize governance, though critics questioned why it had taken nearly two years since the start of the violence to act decisively.
Public Voices: Apathy, Awareness, and Abandonment
Interviews conducted with citizens from different parts of India revealed a troubling gap in public awareness:
“It showed up on my feed, but disappeared in a few days—like every other issue,” said one student from Bihar.
“We saw protests for comedy shows being banned, but barely any national outcry about Manipur,” said a corporate employee based in Pune. “I did come across posts about it initially, but just like many other serious cases, it went into shambles, and hardly anyone is questioning or talking about it now.”
The responses reflect a wider issue of digital apathy—where important issues trend briefly before being forgotten, often overshadowed by pop culture or politicized controversies.
Conclusion: A Fragile State, A Fragile Conscience
The Manipur crisis stands as one of the most serious internal conflicts India has faced in recent years. It reflects the dangers of unresolved ethnic tensions, misinformation in digital spaces, and delayed governance response.
Rebuilding Manipur requires more than physical reconstruction—it calls for justice for victims, resettlement of displaced communities, and restoration of inter-ethnic trust. At a national level, it demands a shift in public consciousness: to recognize that conflicts on the periphery are not peripheral to the idea of India.
If the digital nation can react instantly to celebrity controversies, it must also learn to remember when a state in its own union burns.
Sources:
- Manipur Police Data (2023–2024)
- The Hindu, BBC News, Indian Express
- CBI Investigation Reports (2023–2024)
- Government of India Press Releases
- Verified social media accounts and fact-check portals
