Manipur: Age-old territorial disputes turn deadly in Ukhrul

Guwahati: The proliferation of firearms in Manipur has dramatically transformed the state’s social dynamics, especially since the ethnic violence erupted between the Kuki and Meitei communities on May 3, 2023.

The surge in gun culture is now being felt across the state, where even longstanding land disputes, once resolved through dialogue, have begun to take on a violent dimension.

The incident on Wednesday that left three dead, including a Manipur Rifles personnel, besides several others sustaining gunshot wounds in the state’s Ukhrul district, highlights the dangerous implications of this new reality.

On Wednesday, the annual cleanliness drive conducted by the Thawaijao Hungpung Young Students Organisation (THYSO) took a tragic turn when an altercation between residents of Hungpung and Hunphun villages escalated into gunfire, resulting in fatalities and multiple injuries.

The cleanliness drive, an established tradition spanning generations, was underway from Hungpung to the New District Hospital, Hungpung.

The event, aimed at promoting civic responsibility and fostering community ties, suddenly became a flashpoint for violence when individuals from a village reportedly opened fire on the social workers of the other village engaged in the activity.

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Caught off-guard and unarmed, the social workers were forced to retreat, and several were seriously injured in the attack.

This incident signals a disturbing trend in the state, where firearms have become a common feature in local disputes post the Kuki-Meitei conflict.

The violent exchange, during what was meant to be a peaceful community event, underscores the urgent need for governmental and civil intervention to address the broader issues.

Without such measures, the fabric of Manipur’s multi-ethnic society stands at risk of unraveling further, as old grievances are re-enacted through the lens of new and far more dangerous realities.

The incident in Ukhrul is a stark reminder of how the ethnic unrest in Manipur has had a cascading effect on regional stability, pushing communities into an arms race that not only heightens tensions but also diminishes prospects for peaceful resolution of conflicts.

With firearms now accessible in many households, once-manageable disputes threaten to spiral into full-scale violent confrontations, setting a dangerous precedent for the region.