Manipur Ablaze: A Nation’s Failure, A People’s Agony

MANIPUR CONTINUES TO BURN, its flames fierce and unyielding. The tragedy is not in the fire itself but in the abundance of oil fueling it -- an unending supply of hatred, neglect, and betrayal. The political leaders of this nation, which boasts of being the world’s largest democracy and the birthplace of Satyagraha (Non-Violence), have allowed this conflagration to rage unchecked.

This land of unparalleled diversity -- rich in culture, language, and religion -- was built on the ideals of secularism, a cornerstone of our motherland, Bharat. But secularism, though enshrined in our Constitution, remains a mere word in practice. Atrocities, discrimination, and systemic failures continue to plague our society, tearing apart its very fabric.

The violence in Manipur, ignited on May 3, 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki communities, has spiraled into an inferno. What could have been extinguished in its nascent stage was allowed to grow unchecked. Now, the flames are beyond control. The hatred and pain are so deeply entrenched that reconciliation seems impossible. The wounds inflicted are so profound that their healing may take generations, if not centuries.

The seed of hatred has been sown, and the flames of anger are fed continuously. For the Kuki community, this carnage has left indelible scars -- a grim reminder of inhumanity and betrayal. The atrocities that have unfolded are not merely acts of violence; they are emblematic of a system that failed its people.

This tragedy is the collective responsibility of the Manipur state government and the central government in Delhi. During the crucial first hours of the conflict, decisive action could have prevented the escalation. Instead, inaction allowed the violence to spread like wildfire, engulfing lives, homes, and hope itself.

The present generation stands divided, and so will the generations to come. The damage is so absolute that the only apparent solution seems to be separation -- a tragic acknowledgment of the impossibility of coexistence under these circumstances.

The atrocities committed during this violence -- too horrific to describe fully -- are etched into the memory of the Kuki people. Graphic evidence from various sources bears witness to the inhumane acts that have been perpetrated under the watch of a “double-engine government” in Imphal and New Delhi. These images and stories are not merely evidence of brutality; they are a testament to the collective failure of humanity.

The flames rage on in Manipur, but they burn far deeper in our hearts. They are a reminder that when hatred is cultivated and indifference prevails, the cost is measured in the loss of trust, dignity, and countless lives. As this fire continues to consume, we must ask ourselves: what kind of nation allows its own people to burn, and how long before the embers spread beyond control?

Let this serve as a plea, a warning, and a lament. For if we fail to learn from the ashes of Manipur, we risk reducing the very idea of India to a charred and hollow memory.

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal

Share: