Manipur marks 2 years since ethnic violence with Valley shutdown, candle tribute

The Imphal Valley observed ‘Sintha Leppa’, a shutdown of daily activities, on Saturday to mark the second anniversary of the ethnic violence that erupted on May 3, 2023.

Educational institutions and business establishments remained closed while public transportation services were suspended and only a few private vehicles were seen plying the roads.

In anticipation of potential unrest, security forces were deployed at key locations across the capital to maintain law and order.

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) hosted the Manipur People’s Convention at Khuman Lampak stadium. It appealed to the public to halt daily routines and attend the convention, which aimed at reflecting over the ongoing crisis and paying tribute to those affected by the violence.

As part of the day’s observance, a candlelight tribute is scheduled in the evening at Kangla Nongpok Thong to honour the lives lost during the communal conflict.

Mirroring the situation in the valley, normal life was suspended in the Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts, as well. According to officials, all educational institutions and commercial establishments remained closed. These areas are dominated by the Kuki-Zo people.

Frisking of vehicles in vulnerable locations adjoining the hill district and in the valley is underway.

On May 3, 2023, ethnic violence erupted in Manipur between the Meitei people, a majority that lives in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zo tribal community from the surrounding hills following a High Court’s order that recommended a Scheduled Tribe status for the dominant Meitei community.

This led to the death of nearly 250 people and 60,000 others were displaced.

This decision was later criticised by the Supreme Court.

On the other hand, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum, representing the Kuki-Zo people, are observing ‘Separation Day’. The community has been demanding a separate administration as the “only solution” to the ethnic conflict.

As against this, the Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) of the Thadou community, which resents being clubbed as a ‘Kuki’, marks May 3 as ‘Peace Day’ to “honour the memory of those who have fallen victims to the tragic violence and extend our deepest empathy to the survivors and their families,” the TIM said in a press statement.

The call for ‘Sintha Leppa’ in the Valley has drawn a widespread response from the public, underlining the continued pain and unrest that lingers two years after the violence first erupted in the state.