For the past year, Imphal has seen many protests, and the city is now witnessing a new round of demonstrations, which proves how volatile the region has been. Things became tense after the arrest of Maitai leader Kanan Singh, which made many of his supporters angry and led to huge protests everywhere in the city. Some members of the Maitai community believe that the action of the government was contrary to the reassurances it had given in the past, resulting in the stimulation of already tense ethnic problems in these areas.

Protests began when people showed their support for Kanan Singh, who greatly influences the Maitai community. The protesters say that Singh and others believed in February that the state would give them immunity and ensure their safety if they surrendered. The activists believe these frequent arrests are against what was agreed upon earlier. People protesting have gathered in public areas and prevented traffic by setting up barricades and facing law enforcement. Due to the eruption of protests, the city of Imphal was forced to cease normal activities, and so authorities imposed a curfew in different parts of the city and cut off internet services for five days to stop the situation from getting worse.

Protests in Manipur reveal that ethnic wounds remain unhealed and dangerously open.

Because the ethnic composition of Manipur is very delicate, clashes between the Maitai in the valley and the Kuki tribes living in the hills are of great concern. Police officers state that this situation is a major challenge when it comes to law and order. People in the community often resist the arrests made by the police, and this lack of trust affects how the officers perform their job. Protests now are getting in the way of authorities as they try to solve and prosecute crimes related to violence.

Since May 2023, Manipur has experienced battles due to ethnic conflict when members of the Maitai and Kuki communities clashed about issues related to land ownership, Scheduled Tribe recognition, and political positions. Small skirmishes soon turned into a big conflict that resulted in more than 260 fatalities and caused over 50,000 people to leave their homes. Many villages were set on fire, many families were forced to flee, and community bonds were not able to heal. All the measures adopted by the governments, with the help of more police officers and peace groups, still fail to address the main reasons behind the violence.

As a result of Kanan Singh’s arrest, old memories of alienation are being revived, and people believe the community is facing unjust treatment. People taking part in protests say the government is breaking its promises and using government power to stop anyone who objects to its decisions. I joined the protest and gave up my arms, believing the authorities’ promises, stated a protester who wished to remain anonymous. Now, each time we try to protest, our leadership is arrested or jailed one after another. What is happening here is not justice; it is betrayal.

Officials mention that the arrests are important for ending violence and follow a system aimed at catching those accountable, no matter what political or ethnic ties they hold. In its statement, the Manipur Police stressed that every individual stands equal before the law, and legal steps will still be taken against people facing major charges. The administration is urging people to stay calm and assist the investigators by maintaining peace.

Still, there is a big lack of trust between the government and several ethnic groups. Though the internet shutdown was aimed at controlling inflammatory material, it has also resulted in a lack of news, and this has led to more rumours. Because of the curfews, there are major restrictions on movement, and people are finding it even harder to cope with conflicts in their communities.

“Every individual stands equal before the law,” said Manipur Police, urging calm amid public fury.

It is believed by analysts that repeated incidents of violence and protests in Manipur are a sign that no progress has been made in resolving the main issues behind the conflicts. Because of the poor communication between societies, identity politics, and a lack of a meaningful peace plan, a single argument often leads to large-scale unrest and proves there is no real trust. The analyst said that the issue can’t be put down to law and order alone. This situation is a challenge for both politics and society, so all sides, including the government, must respond.

At the same time, the damage to people is increasing. Many IDPs are staying in relief camps where their access to food, water, healthcare, and education is quite low. A lot of children are now without homes, jobs, and family members due to the violence, and they are trying to go on with their lives, as all is uncertain. This makes it even harder for them to recover because they must experience the same pain from the year before.

Civil organizations, human rights groups, and student associations are now demanding that justice and accountability take place, asking for clarity in the latest arrests and for an instant end to the government’s actions. At the same moment, people are calling for a way to resolve the conflict as everyone, including various communities, comes together to discuss their problems and design a new future.

Despite not saying much about the latest news, the central government is facing requests to step in strongly. The opposition points out that the government’s efforts during this crisis are not enough and wants a group of all parties to travel to Manipur to examine the situation on their own. Many outside observers have highlighted that tensions in the area might lead to more instability near the international borders with Myanmar and China.

Since Manipur is teetering on the edge, it’s important for both governments to focus on restoring faith and setting down the bases of lasting peace. If efforts to listen to and work with all ethnic communities’ concerns are not sincere and action is not taken, the cycle of violence will probably repeat in Manipur. Kanan Singh’s arrest could kick off riots, but the real causes are much deeper and cannot be handled only by putting a temporary curfew on the city or cutting the internet.

“This is not just a law-and-order issue, it’s a political and societal crisis,” said one analyst.

Over the coming period, it will be monitored if the government carefully handles the need for police action and the expectations of the citizens. How the future of Manipur develops will depend on whether its leaders can create unity or the state keeps experiencing conflict and trouble.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.