Manipur Violence: A year later, peace and normalcy still a distant dream

The Joint Students Body, Churachandpur has called for a total shutdown in Churachandpur district

Today marks one year since the state of Manipur spiralled into violence. One year on, total peace and normalcy still eludes the state.

On May 3rd last year, long-standing tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur spiralled into violence, claiming several lives. Over the course of a year, the death toll from the violence continued to grow.

Different groups in Manipur are marking one year of ethnic conflict in the state in different ways today, a reminder of just how deep the faultlines still remain.

A year after it was jolted by ethnic violence, Manipur continues to be on the edge. The scars created by the conflict are admittedly deep, with over 200 lives lost, and families languishing in refugee camps, not to mention reports of gruesome violence against women.

If that was not all, armed groups continue to take law into their own hands.

Violence against security forces has been one of the recurring features of the conflict, highlighting that force alone cannot quell a situation that requires sensitivity and compassion in equal measure.

However, despite all this, the yearning for normalcy and healing still persists, with people from all walks of life calling for reconciliation and a return to peaceful co-existence at the earliest.

Meanwhile, vigil has been intensified in the state with Army and paramilitary forces increasing patrolling and area domination to prevent any fresh escalation.

As per sources, the Ministry of Home Affairs is closely monitoring things. Aerial patrols are also being conducted in certain areas, sources informed.

As such the forces have intensified vigil and are on high alert in order to prevent any further escalation.

Meanwhile, the Committee for Tribal Unity (CoTU) in Kangpokpi has called for a complete shutdown in the district today as the Kuki Zo community gears up to observe Martyrs’ Remembrance Day.

Along with the complete shutdown, the CoTU is also set to observe One Year Remembrance Day for the victims who lost their lives in the past one year since the violence broke out.

Besides, CoTU the Joint Students Body, Churachandpur has also called for a total shutdown in Churachandpur district today.

Also Read: Rs 20 lakh robbed from SBI Churachandpur branch in Manipur, 4th incident in a year

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