Manipur’s Deep Divide Persists as Security Forces Maintain Separation Between Communities
Months after violent clashes rocked Manipur, the state remains sharply divided along ethnic lines, with Meiteis confined largely to the Imphal Valley and Kukis settled in the surrounding hill districts. Security forces continue to patrol buffer zones that act as fragile boundaries between the two communities.
A senior security official stationed in the region told BBC Hindi that their primary task is to “ensure that Meiteis and Kukis stay within their respective areas and do not intermingle,” underscoring the continued mistrust and tension on the ground.
Experts warn that the prolonged segregation could permanently alter Manipur’s demographic and social fabric. “This situation is not healthy for a secular, democratic India,” said RK Nimai Singh, former secretary to the Manipur governor. “Resettling displaced people in their original homes is essential to restore peace and preserve the state’s social harmony.”
The challenge of rebuilding trust between the two communities remains immense, as both sides grapple with loss, displacement, and deep-seated fear that has reshaped life in Manipur since the violence erupted.
