People from different communities and tribes across Manipur held a massive rally on Saturday, calling for safe rehabilitation of internally displaced persons and reaffirming the idea of Manipur as a shared homeland amid efforts to disrupt the peace process.
Hundreds of participants, including internally displaced persons from relief camps across the state, joined the rally, highlighting the prolonged hardship faced by thousands since the Meitei-Kuki ethnic violence erupted in May 2023. The gathering brought together members of the Meitei community, the Thadou tribe, Naga tribes, Muslims, and other groups on a single platform, a rare show of unity in the border state.
Students participated in large numbers, reflecting growing frustration over continued instability and disruption to education. The rally came against the backdrop of demands by a section of Kuki groups for a separate administration, with negotiations involving insurgent groups under suspension of operations agreements.
Khuraijam Athouba of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity said people had repeatedly appealed to the Centre for resettlement of displaced persons and resolution of the crisis, but alleged that the situation was being portrayed narrowly as an ethnic conflict. He said restrictions on free movement had left the population in a hostage-like situation for over two-and-a-half years.
Thadou leader Michael Lamjathang Thadou said various tribes supported a united Manipur and urged the government to restore peace and enable coexistence. The rally adopted an eight-point resolution, including a demand for an NRC exercise to address demographic concerns.
Over 260 people have been killed, and around 50,000 displaced in the violence. Participants said sustained peace would be possible if attempts by armed elements to sabotage reconciliation were firmly stopped.