Manipur Muslims urge end to fighting between Meiteis and Kukis

Imphal: As Manipur ethnic conflict crossed over 100 days, the Muslim community in the state urged both Kukis and Meiteis to find a resolution.

The Northeast state has been grappling with ethnic violence for over 100 days now. While the state is gradually returning to a semblance of normalcy, a zone between the Kuki-majority Churachandpur district and the Meitei-majority Bishnupur district continues to witness relentless gunfire and bomb attacks.

Kwakta town itself, positioned on the border of Meitei-dominated Bishnupur district and Kuki-majority Churachandpur district, has remained in the crosshairs of the conflict for the past three months, resulting in at least 12 casualties.

An area that lies 35 km apart between the two aforementioned districts is home to Meitei Pangals or Muslims. They find themselves caught in the crossfire between the Kuki tribe and the Meiteis. Comprising around 9% of Manipur's estimated population of 32 lahks, Muslims in the region have been inadvertently dragged into the escalating conflict between the Kukis and Meiteis, pleading desperately for peace as they remain ensnared in the violence.

The path to the village of Kwakta in the Bishnupur district is obstructed by police barricades, effectively delineating a front line separating the Meitei-majority area from the Kuki-dominated region of Churachandpur.

On August 6, in an incident that highlighted the volatile situation, three individuals, including a father and his son, were shot and killed in their sleep in Bishnupur district. The Meiteis alleged that miscreants from Churachandpur infiltrated the village under the cover of night and carried out the attack.

Salauddin Qasimi of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind in Bishnupur district told NDTV, "Because of the situation, two of the masjids in Kwakta were used for a few hours by the security forces and firing happened. But we explained our situation to them, after which they left."

Kwakta, once a neighborhood where Meiteis and Kukis coexisted, has transformed into a multiethnic locality with Muslims comprising 90% of its population. Despite not being directly involved in the conflict, the Muslims of Manipur find themselves trapped between the ongoing hostilities of the Meiteis and Kukis, causing severe disruption to their livelihoods.

"Residents of Kwakta live in constant fear. Skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, lack of job opportunities, and deteriorating living conditions have become the norm. Students are unable to attend schools due to the numerous bombings that have devastated the area," noted Muslim scholar Nasir Khan.

In a heartfelt plea, the Muslims have called upon their Kuki and Meitei counterparts to cease the fighting. Hazi Rafat Ali, a local Muslim leader, said, "We Meitei Pangals are a minority community, and like Nepalis and others, we have been severely affected. Our lives have been upended. We appeal to our Meitei and Kuki brothers and sisters to restore peace."

Leaders from the Muslim community in Manipur have journeyed to Delhi seeking increased security coverage for their regions.