More than three years after large-scale violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, civilians continue to pay the heaviest price for a crisis they did not create. Lives have been lost, thousands displaced, homes and villages destroyed, livelihoods disrupted and communities left living under persistent fear. This prolonged suffering cannot be allowed to become the new normal.
Behind every death, every burnt house and every displaced family is a human story. Men, women, children and elderly people have lost loved ones, homes, livelihoods and their sense of security. Many families remain unable to return to their native places, while those who have returned continue to live with apprehension. The longer this situation persists, the deeper the social and economic damage becomes.
The immediate responsibility of every authority and every armed group must be clear: civilians must not be targeted.
Political, ethnic, territorial and ideological differences cannot justify attacks on people who are not participating in hostilities. Grievances and competing claims must be pursued through dialogue, democratic institutions and other peaceful and lawful means. The use of violence against civilians does not resolve differences; it creates new wounds and makes reconciliation more difficult.
The protection of civilians must be placed at the centre of every security and political response to the crisis. People who are not involved in fighting must be protected from killing, intimidation, abduction, arson and other forms of violence. Security arrangements must also ensure the safety of vulnerable settlements, particularly those located in areas where communities remain exposed to repeated attacks.
There can be no selective protection of civilian life. The value of a human life cannot depend on ethnicity, political affiliation, place of residence or community identity. Every civilian has an equal right to life, dignity and security.
A child is a child. A woman is a woman. An elderly person is an elderly person. Every civilian life matters.
The continued burning and destruction of homes and villages is particularly alarming. Such acts destroy far more than buildings. A home represents security, livelihood, family history and belonging. When it is reduced to ashes, a family can lose its economic foundation as well as its connection to its place of origin. Repeated destruction also makes the eventual return and rehabilitation of displaced people increasingly difficult.
Civilian infrastructure and essential services must likewise remain protected. Roads, markets, schools, health facilities, electricity networks and other public assets are vital to ordinary life. Their disruption compounds the humanitarian consequences of violence and places additional burdens on already distressed communities.
But restoring peace will require more than deploying security forces or rebuilding damaged structures. It will require restoring public confidence. Communities that have experienced killings, displacement and destruction cannot be expected to regain trust overnight. Rehabilitation must therefore address both material losses and the deeper insecurity created by years of violence.
Accountability is equally important. Allegations of killings, arson, attacks and other serious offences must be investigated impartially, and those found responsible must face the law. Justice cannot be selective. Failure to establish accountability risks creating a culture in which violence is repeated with little fear of consequences.
At the same time, humanitarian assistance must reach every affected civilian without discrimination. Displaced families need safe shelter, food, healthcare, education and opportunities to rebuild their livelihoods. Assistance should not become dependent on community identity or political considerations.
Manipur cannot rebuild while new victims are being created. Every killing, attack, burning of a home or forced displacement deepens fear and mistrust and pushes the prospect of reconciliation further away.
The people of Manipur have endured enough. The priority now must be to stop the violence, protect civilians, restore security, uphold the rule of law and create conditions in which displaced families can return home safely and communities can begin rebuilding their lives.
Peace cannot be achieved through the continued suffering of civilians. Protecting civilian life must come first. Ending violence must be the immediate objective. Restoring lasting peace must be the shared responsibility.
Leader writer: Sh Ajit