"I may never meet my best friend again in this life"
Source: Chronicle News Service / Mission Oinam

Imphal, August 18 2023: Best friends do everything together, whether it may be eating from the same plate or hanging out.

It is even better when they are seated together in the same classroom of the same school.

However, for young Lourambem Anandi, she is heartbroken as she may never see her friend again and left only with sweet memories she shared with her friend.

The ethnic conflict which broke out in Manipur has now completed 107 days but there is no end in sight.

Both the young and old have been affected by the violence, and many others forced to part with their near and dear ones.

Amid these is 10-year old Anandi who was forced to part with her best friend.

About two weeks ago, a drawing by a 10-year old girl was printed on the dedicated children's page of Poknapham, which is published every Sunday.

The drawing strangely befitted the saying, 'A picture is worth a thousand words'.

The silent drawing spoke about the impact of the conflict on young children whose minds are yet to be fully matured.

Lourembam Anandi, daughter of Lourembam Indrakumar Meetei and Lourembam ongbi Nganthoi of Moreh Ward No 9, has been friends with Thounaojam Bibirani since she can remember.

Thounaojam Bibirani is the daughter of Thounaojam ongbi Kamla of Moreh Ward No 7.Before the conflict, both Anandi and Bibirani studied in Class VII together at St George High School, Moreh.

They sat on the same bench and also went to the same private tuition.

The two girls were inseparable and did everything together.

However, after the conflict began on May 3, the Meetei population in the Indo-Myanmar border town of Moreh fled to different locations to save their lives.

Anandi's parents also fled Moreh and the family sought refuge at the relief camp opened at the UFO headquarters in Mayang Imphal Charoipung, Imphal West district.

When I met Anandi, her first words were questions like "Is the conflict yet to be over? I want to see my friend.

Where is she?" She said that Christina (another friend) had already left and now, she had to part with Bibirani after the conflict began.

"Now, I don't have any friends.

I am very angry with this conflict," she said, expressing her frustration.

On being asked who Christina was, Anandi said that she (Christina) is also her best friend with Bibirani.

All three of them studied in the same school.

Christina used to stay in Moreh Ward No 6 but was taken away by her elder sister after their mother passed away.

She (Christina) no longer came to school at the end of last year's session.

"I don't know where she (Christina) had gone off to.

Both Bibirani and me were very sad and cried when Christina did not come to school," Anandi recalled.

"After Christina left, both Bibirani and I promised to be friends for life.

However, because of the conflict, I am now separated from Bibirani.

Although we both met each other at an Assam Rifles camp in Pallel on May 11, we have not seen or contacted each other since then.

"Since schools have reopened, I have been admitted to the CT Higher Secondary School in Mayang Imphal.

When will this conflict end? I have been told that our home and workshop have been destroyed and burnt.

If we can't return to Moreh, 1 would never be able to meet up with Bibirani again," Anandi said in tears.

The humanitarian crisis in Manipur has cast a heavy emotional toll on young children, leaving them with a profound sense of loss and confusion.

The poignant story of 10-year-old Lourambem Anandi reflects the heartbreak experienced by countless children in the state.

Separated from her best friend due to the conflict, Anandi's longing for her friend highlights the emotional turmoil that young minds are grappling with.

The innocence of childhood shields them from the complexities of the conflict, yet they feel the void created by the separation of families and friends.

The uncertainty of when, or if, they will reunite with loved ones adds to their distress.

Their innocence underscores a poignant truth: that the impact of conflict extends beyond physical damage, affecting the hearts and minds of the youngest members of society.

The story serves as a sombre reminder of the urgent need for resolution and peace in order to safeguard the well-being and emotional health of the generations caught in the midst of turmoil.

Seeing the hurt and tear-filled eyes of a young girl, who does not have the maturity to discern who is in the wrong or right, one needs to question whose interests are exactly being served by this conflict.

No conflict has benefitted any pyre.

As such, the only way to resolve the on-going conflict in Manipur is to talk out all issues with each other to bring peace based on the principle of forgive and forget.

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