| 12 June 2023
In the tense and violence-stricken region of Manipur in northeastern India, the Meitei Pangal community finds itself caught in the crossfire of escalating ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and the Kukis. Samim Sahni, a 25-year-old mother of two, experienced firsthand the terrifying consequences of this conflict when a bullet narrowly missed her while she listened to the evening news with her neighbors. The violence has left nearly 100 people dead, 310 injured, and over 40,000 displaced since May 3, according to local authorities.
The clashes were initially sparked by a protest led by the Kukis, who demanded to be designated as a Scheduled Tribe, a status that provides constitutional protection and benefits for India's Indigenous communities. The Meiteis, who make up about half of Manipur's population, predominantly reside in and around the state capital, Imphal, while the Kukis and another major tribe, the Nagas, primarily inhabit the hills.
The town of Kwakta, where Samim Sahni resides, lies in the Bishnupur district, situated between the Meitei-dominated areas and a nearby Kuki village. The proximity to both communities has placed the Meitei Pangals, a Muslim minority group, under immense pressure. They find themselves entangled in the conflict, with tensions rising from both sides. S.M. Jalal, the president of the All Manipur Muslim Organisations Coordinating Committee (AMMOCOC), expressed the challenges faced by the Meitei Pangal community, stating, "Since the incidents started happening, we have been facing pressures from both sides."
The violence has forced many Meiteis to flee their homes, seeking shelter in neighboring Muslim households in Kwakta. Pitrubi Bibi, a 65-year-old resident, provided refuge to approximately 100 people, including women and children. However, even the Muslim community hasn't been immune to the repercussions of the clashes. Mohammad Yashir, Bibi's son, was assaulted by a Meitei mob in Imphal when he attempted to retrieve a car belonging to a Kuki family. The attackers accused Muslims of assisting the Kukis, illustrating the heightened tensions and the difficulties faced by individuals trying to navigate this volatile situation.
The Meitei Pangals residing in Ward 8 of Kwakta Municipal Council find themselves particularly vulnerable, as they live in the contested zone between the Kukis and the Meiteis. This small group of 50-60 individuals faces constant threats, with intermittent firing incidents forcing them to evacuate their homes and seek temporary refuge in safer areas. Reports of low-intensity bombs found near Meitei Pangal houses have further increased concerns for their safety.
Abdul Hussain, a resident of Ward 8, described the fear instilled within the community after receiving a warning from a trusted contact within the Manipur police commandos, urging them to leave their homes. The discovery of a bomb and the subsequent damage it caused to a Meitei Pangal house only intensified their anxieties.
As Manipur grapples with the aftermath of these clashes, the Meitei Pangal community continues to endure the harrowing consequences of living amidst escalating ethnic tensions. The situation calls for immediate attention from authorities to safeguard the lives and well-being of all residents affected by the violence. Without decisive action and concerted efforts to foster peace and reconciliation, the cycle of violence threatens to further divide the communities and inflict lasting damage on the social fabric of Manipur
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