May 3 conflict: Aftermath and resilience

Goshaimayum Chanu Sapna *

The writer interacting with Ima warriors of the villages, distributing relief materials and volunteering in teaching :: Pix - TSE

The May 3, 2023, conflict in Manipur became one of the region's worst displacement crises in decades. Conflict is a prolonged struggle between groups with incompatible interests, values, or goals. Lewis Coser (1956) defines it as "a struggle over values and claims to scarce status, power, and resources, where opponents aim to neutralize, injure, or eliminate their rivals".

This aptly describes the Manipur crisis, where long-standing tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities erupted into violence, triggering widespread social and economic disruption.

Conflict Dynamics: Conflicts can take many forms - intrapersonal (within an individual), interpersonal (between individuals), intragroup (within a group), intergroup (between groups), and organizational (within institutions). The Manipur conflict is primarily intergroup. Tensions between the valley-dwelling Meitei and the hill-based Kuki-Zo tribes have led to armed confrontations, disrupting harmony and governance.

Conflict Drivers: The conflict stems from a complex blend of historical, structural, and socio-economic political factors. Its immediate spark was the breakdown of law and order within the State. Over time, additional issues - such as poor communication, deep-rooted mistrust, and cultural differences - have intensified tensions.

Long-standing grievances and structural inequalities, including disputes over land and unequal access to resources, continue to aggravate the situation. Moreover, Manipur grapples with international border challenges, particularly along the Indo-Myanmar frontier, drawing comparisons to the US-Mexico border tensions.

Immigration issues, resource exploitation, manipulative politics, and weak law enforcement have further fueled instability. The still-contested 1949 merger with India continues to evoke concerns around identity and autonomy.

Demographic Divisions: Manipur's rich ethnic diversity is both a strength and a source of division. The State is home to a diverse range of ethnic groups, the Meitei in the valley, and the Naga and Kuki tribes in the hills. Each community, with Its own identity, adds to the rich diversity of Manipur, where unity in diversity exists, though divisions still remain.

Ethnic clashes - like the Kuki-Naga Conflict in the 1990s - have left scars. The May 2023 conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities proved especially devastating, resulting in over 250 deaths, the displacement of more than 60,000 people, and widespread destruction.

Economic Toll: The conflict has severely impacted Manipur's economy. Businesses have been closed for months, though now open, causing a decline in sales. Agricultural activities on 5,127 hectares were stopped; the Union Home Ministry gave the Manipur Government a Rs 38.60 crore relief package as part of a Rs 209.45 crore special package (Business Standard, 2023).

Tourism decreased from 160,000 visitors in Financial Year (FY) 2022-23 to just 19,908 between April and November 2023 (Al Jazeera, 2024).

Exports to Myanmar dropped by 80%, impacting textiles, medicinal plants, and food products (The Economic Times, 2023). GST revenue was expected to fall by 20-30% (The Sangai Express, 2023). Inflation rose to 11.63% in November 2023 and 9.4% in December 2024, both much higher than the National average (Free Press Journal, 2025; CSO).

Youth unemployment is high - 22.9% overall, with 19.9% for males and 27.5% for females - making Manipur one of the top 10 States/UTs with the highest youth unemployment rates in India (PLFS, The Indian Express, 2025).

Social Consequences: Everyone has been hit hard by the conflict, whether poor or rich, employed or unemployed, male or female, young or old - everyone, indeed. The conflict has displaced over 60,000 people, many of whom now live in overcrowded camps.

They face major issues, including inadequate food supplies, poor sanitation, limited healthcare services, mental health struggles, unemployment, irregular access to basic amenities, and reliance on firewood for cooking.

A Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care study found that 65.8% of 310 displaced individuals showed symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and 15.2% suffered from severe anxiety, often linked to property loss and family separation. Families of the over 250 deceased continue to struggle mentally while seeking justice. More than 200 schools were closed, disrupting the education of thousands of children.

Women and girls face heightened risks of sexual violence in relief camps. Social media has fueled hate and misinformation, making peace efforts even harder. Since 2023, there have been reports of suicide cases in relief camps and across the valley, reflecting the severe mental health toll of the ongoing conflict and displacement.

Shift of Power: Amid the continued unrest, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned, leading the Central Government to impose President's Rule, with Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla assuming control. Despite a strong military presence, ethnic divisions persist, and the region continues to struggle to achieve peace, justice, political stability, and socioeconomic recovery. Thousands remain displaced, and infrastructure has suffered heavy damage.

Historical Lessons: Post-conflict recovery offers key lessons. After World War II (1939-1945), Germany was split into East and West but reunified in 1990 after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Similarly, England and Scotland united in 1707 under the Act of Union, forming Great Britain. The creation of the European Union after World War II further highlights how cooperation fosters peace. These examples show that division weakens Nations, while unity based on mutual respect strengthens them.

Path to Recovery: Manipur faces a challenging road to recovery, requiring urgent economic and social interventions. Immediate support is needed for internally displaced people, the families of the deceased, the private sector, self-employed workers, agriculture, the unemployed, and the State's highways.

Peace building must focus on rebuilding trust, inclusive governance, and active public participation, with youth playing a key role through arts, volunteerism, and social media. Collaboration between educators, professionals, bureaucrats, and civil society is essential to foster tolerance and cooperation and to heal the State.

Rebuilding infrastructure and restoring education should not be neglected, while strengthening institutions like district offices, schools, health services, and Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) will empower communities and improve governance. Leaders must avoid divisive rhetoric, focusing instead on justice, unity, and effective aid, ensuring efficiency, transparency, and accountability in public institutions.

Guided by "unity in diversity," Manipur can restore peace through mutual respect and social cohesion, recognizing that integration strengthens while division weakens. Though reconciliation will take time, a resilient, holistic approach can lead to lasting peace, economic recovery, and social healing, with accountable governance at both the State and Central levels.