Giving Compass' Take:
- India Development Review provides a primer on the conflict between the Meiteis and the Kukis in the northeastern state of Manipur in India.
- How do violent conflicts impact the education, livelihood and health of communities involved? How are women and children particularly harmed by conflict?
- Read about combating gender-based violence in India.
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For three months, conflict has engulfed the northeastern state of Manipur. Since early May, violence, displacement, and loss of life, livelihoods, and property have rendered any sense of normalcy redundant. We’ve compiled resources to help you understand how this unrelenting conflict is affecting the lives of people and what you can do to help.
On May 3, 2023, violence broke out between the Meitei community and the Kuki tribe in Manipur’s Churachandpur town, which is close to Imphal, the state’s capital. The immediate reason for the clashes has been attributed to the non-tribal Meitei people’s demand for scheduled tribe status.
The Meiteis and the Kukis share a complex history and a complicated relationship. While the Meiteis view the Kukis as outsiders and drug peddlers, the Kukis see themselves as marginalised by the Meiteis, who hold major political and administrative positions in the state.
Over the years, the two communities have had many conflicts. However, the current spate of riots that spread throughout the state has had severe repercussions for people’s health, livelihoods, and education.
How does the violence impact the lives of the people?
1. Health
The central government has claimed that the state has sufficient capacity and facilities to meet the needs of the survivors, but various reports have highlighted a lack of doctors and medicines. Manipur’s healthcare system is under-resourced and is still recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; further, the growing distrust between the communities has led to people being wary of seeking medical care from anyone other than their own.
Moreover, the major healthcare facilities in the state are located in the valley, which has made the hill-dwelling Kukis particularly vulnerable in this situation. The volunteer- and nonprofit-run relief has become the only solution for many, but these relief groups are not receiving support from the government. In many cases, these relief workers have had to navigate mob violence and blockades to cater to the people.
Read the full article about the conflict in Manipur at India Development Review.