A Walk through Manipur

Joydip Ghosal

A Walk through Manipur (Publisher-Bukant Non-Fiction) by Biswajit Manna is a chronicle of mayhem, death, and destruction that rattled the north-eastern state. This poignant narrative, written in a purely journalistic style, offers an insider’s view into the unending saga of animosity, pain, and bloodshed that engulfed the state. Iron lady Irom Chanu Sharmila rightly said, “Your detailed narration about the sufferings...will become an eye opener for the mainlanders.” This book, written from ground zero, attempted to unravel the layers of complexity of the troubled state. Krishnopriyo Bhattacharya, tribal literature expert, considered the book a benchmark study for not only the history of Northeast but also for the Indian sub-continent.

Many scholars believe that the Manipur Land Revenue and Reforms Act which was adopted in 1960 used as a “legislative route to usurp land in the hills.” The hill dwellers’ way of life was reflected through community land holding patterns and shifting cultivation. But the administration and inhabitants in the valley did not understand that.

Gorky Chakraborty observed that fangs of majoritarian politics gripped the state in such a manner that prevailing inter- community fissure had now widened into irreplaceable fault lines. Next generations would have to bear the brunt of that division. Major parts of South Asia were now mired in the impossibility of correctly identifying the ‘legitimate ‘citizen and ‘illegal’ immigrant due to the colonial tool of border-making.” The brazen majoritarian politics had added fuel to the fire.

The author visited the state during the 2023 ethnic clashes.

Kukis believed that if Meiteis were accorded ST status, it would pave the way for their settling down in the hills. After the Churachandpur rally, the state government was visibly shaken. As its consequence, broadband services and mobile internet were snapped immediately. While in Manipur, the author observed that Inner Line Permit was a method to identify the outsiders who entered the state with valid documents. The present conflict between the Kukis and the Meiteis had also become a subject of debate. Meiteis claimed that they were the original inhabitants, while Kukis were outsiders. They came from Myanmar. Kukis refuted the claim.

The Kukis claimed that the state had been trying to shove them into a corner in the livelihood sector. The author’s trip to Manipur was limited to Imphal, its adjacent areas, and Moirang. What baffled him most was the deep-rooted hatred between Kukis and Meiteis. The polarisation was widespread and deep. Run by hate-mongers, it was a deliberate campaign to fan hatred. Kukis believed that the entire narrative against them was a ploy to get tribal land. The author showed that the Kukis were an integral part of the Indian National Army led by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Among the Kukis, there might be some outsiders who had recently migrated from Myanmar, but clubbing all the Kukis of Manipur as illegal immigrants would be wrong.

The author had the chance to visit Meitei relief camps in Moirang and Imphal. One person told the author that the relief camp in and around Manipur was in better condition. In a relief camp consisting of Meiteis he met K. R Singh, a youth in his thirties. He worked as a mason in Churachandpur. The broken friendship with Kukis was very painful for him. All his life, he had Kuki friends and companions, but after May 3, 2023, the scenario changed abruptly. Living in a relief camp was not an easy task. One had to put up a brave fight against all types of odds. “Fill up your stomach with whatever is available to eat, sleep, get up, and do nothing.” The author noticed that the frustration over the current political leadership was evident in his voice. One Meitei felt that unless the government took a proactive stand to end the impasse, it would be difficult for Meiteis to resume normal life. He thought that a Hindutvabadi party was in power at the centre. It was also the ruling state. Still, the Meiteis were suffering badly.

 There was lack of privacy in the camps. Inmates were facing problems of lifesaving medicines, food and sanitation.

The author also touched upon the history of Manipur in brief and the relationship between the two communities. In Moreh, he met Arun Saha, a Bengali by birth. He had been living in Moreh for more than 30 years. After the ethnic clash, he was forced to flee his home and live in a relief camp. In his entire trip to Manipur for the first time, the author could speak to someone in Bengali. He was utterly shattered and had no idea how to put his life back on the groove. The way forward was replete with uncertainties. People found it hard to be optimistic against the turbulent times. In several conversations, the author had with the locals people kept on referring to the Naga-Kuki war in 1993-94. At that time, Meiteis provided shelter to the Kukis. Otherwise, there would be more massacres.

While conversing with the author, many people pointed out that the state authority was conspicuous by its absence in Manipur, and for that reason, the conflict had not died down.

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Frontier
Vol 57, No. 52, June 22 - 28, 2025