As India celebrated the conclusion of its weeks-long general election, which saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi secure a historic third term, the remote state of Manipur remained gripped by ethnic violence. The defeat of the governing Bharatiya Janata Party in both of Manipur's parliamentary constituencies had initially sparked hopes for change among the state's residents, particularly the Kuki-Zo community. However, the persistence of deadly clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities has left many disillusioned.
On the night of June 6, just two days after the election results were announced, Thangman Guite, a 26-year-old school teacher from Vengnuam village in Jiribam district, received an alarming phone call warning her of an impending attack. As armed men, allegedly belonging to the Arambai Tenggol militia, entered the village, Guite and other residents fled to the nearby forest, seeking safety. Upon returning the next morning, they discovered that dozens of houses, including Guite's own, had been reduced to ashes, and a 40-year-old man had been abducted.
The incident at Vengnuam is just one example of the ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur, where clashes between the predominantly Hindu Meitei community and the mainly Christian Kuki-Zo tribe have claimed more than 220 lives and displaced 67,000 others. The violence, which began in May 2023 following a court order recommending the extension of Scheduled Tribe status to the Meitei community, has been fueled by long-standing tensions and fears of political and economic marginalization.
Critics have accused the BJP, which heads the Manipur government, of using the violence for political gains, a charge the party and state government deny. Many in the state viewed the BJP's defeat in the parliamentary election as a rejection of its alleged role in the conflict. However, the sense of hope generated by the election results has been short-lived, as incidents like the Vengnuam attack and subsequent burning of Meitei villages have demonstrated the deep-rooted nature of the conflict.
The election itself was marred by violence and allegations of voter suppression, with the opposition Indian National Congress party accusing armed groups of booth capturing and intimidation. Despite the challenges, voters turned out in large numbers, with many expressing their discontent with the BJP's handling of the conflict. The victory of Congress candidates in both parliamentary seats was seen as a significant shift in the state's political landscape.
As the newly elected Congress parliamentarians prepare to take their seats in New Delhi, questions remain about how they will address the ongoing violence in Manipur. Some fear that the party's state leadership may not do enough to help the Kuki-Zo community, given its stance in the conflict thus far. The BJP, now back in power at the national level, will also face pressure to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
For residents like Thangman Guite, who have been directly affected by the violence, the path to peace remains uncertain. The brief glimmer of hope offered by the election results has been overshadowed by the harsh realities of the ongoing conflict. As Manipur continues to grapple with the aftermath of the parliamentary elections, it is clear that the road to reconciliation and stability will be long and challenging, requiring the concerted efforts of all stakeholders to address the deep-seated issues that have fueled the violence.
