In May 2023, violence erupted in the northeastern state of Manipur between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. The ethnic conflict that followed has since claimed over 250 lives, displaced more than 60,000 people, and devastated entire villages. Homes, churches, temples, and schools have been destroyed, and communities that once coexisted have been torn apart.
Two years. Over 250 lives. Still burning. Still ignored
Now, in stark contrast, the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, that claimed the lives of 26 innocent people—25 Hindu tourists and one local Muslim pony operator—has shocked the nation. There has been rightful outrage, grief, and solidarity. Newsrooms buzzed. Politicians issued statements. Social media flooded with tributes and calls for justice.
But where was the same national response when entire villages in Manipur were emptied, when children grew up in relief camps, when families were torn apart by neighbors, and when violence became a daily reality?
A Disparity in Grief
This is not a competition of tragedies. Every lost life is precious. Every act of violence, whether committed by militants or mobs, is a wound in our collective soul. However, the unequal national reaction to these two tragedies exposes something more troubling, something that we as a nation need to confront.
Why did Pahalgam evoke such a strong national reaction while Manipur was largely ignored? Is it because Manipur is too far from the political heart of India? Is it because the victims in Manipur didn’t fit the narrative we’re comfortable with? Or is it because violence in Kashmir fits into a more convenient political story?
A Conflict Without Headlines
In Manipur, the violence isn’t just a “riot”—it’s an ongoing ethnic war fueled by decades of neglect, political apathy, and escalating extremism. Homes weren’t just burned; they were targeted. People weren’t just killed; they were hunted. It is a humanitarian crisis unfolding right under our noses, yet it remains a sidelined issue.
The state has been under President’s Rule since February 2025, but the situation remains dire. Families live in fear. Relief camps are overcrowded. Schools remain shut. Trust—once the foundation of local relationships—is now a rare commodity.
This isn’t old news. The violence continues. And still, the national response has been minimal. No large-scale media coverage. No extended national mourning. No urgent promises of relief or rehabilitation.
What Are We Saying With Our Silence?
When we choose to amplify some tragedies and ignore others, we are sending a dangerous message: some lives matter more than others. We are saying that the violence of one community, in one part of the country, deserves our attention, while another, in a different region, is not our problem.
When we focus only on those tragedies that fit a narrow, convenient narrative, we are failing to confront the deeper issues within our society—the violence committed not only by militants but by our own indifference. This is not just the failure of a government—it’s the failure of a nation’s conscience.
What Needs to Happen Now
Recognize the Crisis in Manipur: Manipur is not a remote issue. It is an Indian issue, one that demands our attention, empathy, and action.
Resettle and Rebuild: Thousands of displaced families deserve to be resettled with dignity, safety, and the promise of a future free from fear.
Pursue Justice for All: The perpetrators of violence—regardless of community—must be held accountable.
End the Media Blackout: National media outlets need to commit to consistent, on-the-ground reporting from conflict zones like Manipur, not just when it fits an editorial agenda.
Wishing Strength to the Pahalgam Victims’ Families
To the families of those lost in the Pahalgam attack, we stand with you. Your grief is our grief. The pain of losing a loved one in such senseless violence is unimaginable. But your courage in the face of this tragedy is a reminder to all of us about the strength of the human spirit.
May you find solace in the memories of your loved ones and peace in knowing that their lives will not be forgotten. We mourn with you, and we vow to hold those responsible accountable.
We All Belong Here
The people of Manipur are not others. They are Indians. Their pain is ours. Their children deserve what every child in India deserves—peace, hope, and a future.
If we, as a nation, only show outrage when the tragedy fits our politics or proximity, we are not truly a just and unified country. We are a divided one.
Until we stand with Manipur as we stand with Kashmir, until we rage for the lives lost there with the same fervor, our silence will remain our loudest failure.
Conclusion
This is not just an issue of geography, religion, or ethnicity. It’s an issue of humanity. It’s about whether we are willing to see each other as fellow Indians or whether we will continue to divide ourselves based on our biases and indifference.
Manipur is crying out for help. It is time for us, as a nation, to listen, to act, and to restore the dignity and peace that all our people deserve.
~ Kui Hangsing