Manipur is once again engulfed in violence, with the recent surge of unrest bringing peace in the region under severe threat. The state is experiencing heightened tensions and has seen the deployment of additional security forces in response to the escalating violence. The conflict, which has been ongoing for the past 16 months, initially sparked by the Kuki-Meitei dispute, has now intensified into a broader conflict. The situation in Manipur remains grim, with over 250 people killed and thousands of homes destroyed. Despite some periods of calm, recent outbursts of violence have reignited anger and unrest. Students have taken to the streets, carrying stones and dealing with the ongoing presence of rockets, drones, and the pervasive smell of gunpowder. Internet services have been suspended, schools and colleges are closed, and the streets are marked by the remains of burned and damaged vehicles. The state has endured approximately 5,000 violent incidents, resulting in 225 deaths, over 10,000 FIRs, and 70,000 people displaced. More than 5,200 shops and houses have been burned. Areas near the Raj Bhavan, previously the epicenter of turmoil, are now eerily quiet. Governor Lakshman Acharya has moved to Assam, and the effects of the recent protests are still evident on Imphal's streets. Movement is heavily restricted, with only essential services operational. Protesting students have expressed their frustration, claiming that they are enduring continuous conflict and calling for the central forces to withdraw. They accuse the Chief Minister and Prime Minister of neglecting their plight. The security situation is complicated by recent attacks involving rocket launchers and hand grenades, which have exacerbated concerns among security agencies. The origins of the violence trace back to early 2023 when the Manipur High Court urged the state government to consider including the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe list. This led to an outbreak of ethnic violence, causing numerous deaths and displacement. The demand for Scheduled Tribe status for the Meitei community has been a major source of contention, particularly with the Kuki tribal people opposing it. In February 2024, the High Court removed its earlier recommendation for ST status for the Meitei community. To address the ongoing violence, the CRPF has deployed 16 battalions in Manipur, with two additional battalions recently assigned to bolster security. These forces are receiving training in internal security duties, logistics, equipment, and anti-drone technology to strengthen their operational capabilities. The violence has claimed over 200 lives and continues to disrupt normalcy in the state, with many people from the affected Meitei and Kuki communities still residing in relief camps or seeking refuge in neighboring states like Mizoram.
