The northeastern region of India, often described as its “crown of diversity,” has been plunged into turmoil once again, with Manipur at the epicenter of a spiraling crisis in 2025. What started as ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in May 2023 has escalated into a prolonged humanitarian and political emergency, exposing deep fractures within the region's social and administrative fabric. According to reports from The Indian Express, over 200 people have died and 60,000 displaced, while vast swathes of the state remain under semi-military control even today. In an emotional interview with NDTV, Thangkhosei Mate, a displaced Kuki school teacher, said, “We lost our home, our land, our history. And yet, it feels like nobody in Delhi is even listening.”
At the heart of the crisis lies a bitter struggle over land, political rights, and identity. The Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, granting them access to land and affirmative action benefits, was seen by the hill-dwelling Kukis as a direct threat to their ancestral lands. This perceived encroachment, combined with simmering resentment over drug trafficking allegations and forest clearance drives, acted as the trigger for the violence. "The government’s policies divided the communities instead of uniting them," said Dr. Pradip Phanjoubam, a senior journalist based in Imphal, during a panel discussion with The Wire. Analysts argue that while historical tensions have always existed, administrative apathy and divisive politics aggravated the situation beyond repair.The state's law and order machinery, already stretched thin, virtually collapsed in the face of the communal riots. Eyewitness accounts published by The Hindu reveal harrowing scenes — villages set ablaze, women and children fleeing through forests, and relief camps overflowing with traumatized survivors. "There were no police, no army for days," recounted Rosita Haokip, a college student who trekked 40 kilometers to reach safety, speaking to Scroll.in. Despite heavy deployment of paramilitary forces later on, peace has remained elusive, with sporadic violence still reported in sensitive districts like Churachandpur and Bishnupur.
Adding to the complexity, the state government under Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has been accused of partisan behavior, favoring the majority Meitei community. Opposition parties, civil society groups, and even retired bureaucrats have called for President’s Rule in Manipur. In a hard-hitting editorial, The Telegraph criticized the central government’s silence, calling it “an abdication of moral and constitutional responsibility.” When questioned by reporters, Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the Centre’s role, claiming that "dialogue is ongoing" and accusing "external elements" of fueling the unrest, but on the ground, such reassurances ring hollow for those suffering daily indignities.
The ripple effects of the Manipur crisis have been felt across the Northeast. In Mizoram, large numbers of Kuki refugees have strained local resources, prompting calls for humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, simmering tensions between indigenous groups in Nagaland, Tripura, and Assam are reigniting old anxieties. Speaking to Al Jazeera, political analyst Wasbir Hussain warned, "The Northeast is a sensitive mosaic. A fire in one corner risks engulfing the entire tapestry if not addressed sensitively." Already, student organizations like the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) have issued warnings about protecting indigenous rights amidst changing demographics.Amidst this, voices from civil society have become a beacon of hope. Organizations like Women of Manipur Action Committee have been tirelessly documenting human rights violations, providing relief, and demanding international attention. In a moving interview with The Caravan, activist Binalakshmi Nepram called on India’s youth to "recognize that the Northeast is not a faraway conflict but a national crisis." Yet, outside the region, the national media's focus remains patchy, with the crisis often overshadowed by political theater and celebrity gossip.The emotional and psychological toll on the displaced communities is staggering. A recent survey conducted by the Northeast Social Research Centre found that over 70% of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Manipur suffer from PTSD symptoms, including nightmares, depression, and anxiety. "We are alive, but it feels like we are dead inside," whispered Lalminlun Zou, a 19-year-old refugee, to a Times of India reporter inside a makeshift camp near the Manipur-Mizoram border. The lack of adequate healthcare, education facilities for displaced children, and employment opportunities threatens to create a 'lost generation' in the Northeast.
Political leaders across the opposition have criticized the Modi government’s handling of the situation. During a rally in Guwahati, Rahul Gandhi accused the Prime Minister of "abandoning the Northeast to burn," while regional leaders like Conrad Sangma of Meghalaya have called for a "Northeast Peace Summit" to address grievances collectively. However, meaningful political dialogue still seems distant, with the BJP leadership wary of conceding ground before the 2025 general elections. Experts warn that ignoring the crisis could have catastrophic long-term consequences. In an op-ed for The Print, security expert Ajai Sahni argued that "alienation is the oxygen for extremism" and that prolonged instability could revive dormant insurgencies, undoing years of hard-won peace in the region. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), which had been partially withdrawn from several northeastern states, is now being debated again as security forces lobby for more legal protections — a move that human rights activists vehemently oppose.At a time when India seeks global recognition as a rising power, the festering wounds in its own frontier cannot be ignored. The people of Manipur and the Northeast are not seeking charity; they are demanding justice, dignity, and the right to live free from fear. As Thangjam Roshan, a young entrepreneur who lost his family shop in Imphal, told BBC News, "We don’t want to pick up arms. We want to pick up our lives. But someone needs to listen first."
The silence from New Delhi is deafening. And the longer it lasts, the deeper the scars will run — not just in Manipur, but across the soul of India itself.
BY:AYUSH CHATURVEDI
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