A fresh wave of violence in Manipur serves as a grim reminder that normalcy remains elusive, with innocent lives continuing to be lost
Manipur is burning again and it seems no one knows how to control the violence which has taken a proportion of a civil war in the state. The latest unrest, which erupted on November 7, 2024, has resulted in the loss of lives, widespread property damage and heightened tensions in an already volatile state. The immediate cause was the discovery of six bodies—including two children—kidnapped by suspected Kuki militants in the Jiribam district. On the same day, a tragic attack unfolded in Zairawn village, where an armed Meitei group allegedly raped and killed a woman and set fire to several homes, including a school. These incidents triggered a series of retaliatory attacks. On November 11, security forces killed ten suspected Kuki militants during a clash in Borobekra. Meanwhile, militants abducted six members of a Meitei family, killing two elderly individuals. In the days that followed, homes, churches and public properties were targeted, escalating the cycle of violence. Manipur’s population is a tapestry of diverse communities, with Meiteis forming a slight majority and primarily residing in the Imphal Valley.