Manipur unrest: Death toll tipped at over 40, scores wounded and unreported

It would be a gross mistake to view it from a Christian vs Hindu perspective’

Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 7

Violence-hit Manipur remained largely blurred from the outside world three days since the state government shut mobile internet following the violent upheaval on May 3. But according to reports that emerged on from both sides of the violence, several lives have been claimed and scores wounded in the spate of retaliatory violence that followed the May 3 upheaval. 

While an IANS report, citing the Manipur government’s newly appointed security advisor Kuldiep Singh, tipped the death toll at 18-20, figures cited by independent sources from the ground placed the death toll at over 40. 

Sources from Imphal and Bishnupur told The Morung Express on Saturday evening that atleast 30 bodies of victims, who fell to the violence, were lying at hospital morgues in Imphal. One of the sources, a valley-based journalist, maintained that he could not quote the exact number of casualty and that the figure was based on news reports published by the local media.  “And many, many injured people have been admitted to hospitals. But we cannot say the exact figure because there is no information flowing out of the government,” he said, while maintaining that it was based on “confirmations and reconfirmations and verifications done on individual basis.”

Apart from sporadic exchange of fire reportedly between armed groups along the district border with Churachandpur, he said that the situation in Bishnupur district headquarters was said to be calmer than the previous day.

But he added, “Nobody knows, it may flare up again.” “As of now things are not very clear and common citizens are caught in between because there is also big communication and information gap owing to shutting down of internet,” he said. 

If the unrest and uncertainty continues for another day or two, he said that people would start feeling shortages of food and other essentials. 

“Today one Kuki friend called up saying that they are also equally stressed and despair was all around,” he said, while stating that it has been the commoners facing the brunt of the violence. “One has to understand that the moment violence has taken place, it is difficult to die down easily. And also it will linger on in the minds of the affected communities for a long time.” 

Churachandpur
In Churachandpur, atleast 15 deaths have been reported killed since May 3. A student leader from Lamka (Churachandpur), citing figures compiled by the Kuki Khanglai Lawmpi, informed that there were 12 bodies in the district hospital morgue. Three more bodies – 2 at Kangvai village and 1 at Seitol village – were reportedly still to be retrieved. 

While stating that there could be several deaths unaccounted for, the leader added, “There are also people missing.”  

The total of wounded was tipped at 219 with the conditions of 70, who were admitted at the Churachandpur district hospital, reported to be “critical.” 

There were also cases of targeted arson, with the student leader claiming that atleast 16 villages in the district being burned down. The leader reported no fresh violence in the district headquarters on May 6 but alleged arson by armed elements in two villages bordering the valley areas. 

“There is shortage of food. There are people fleeing, coming here seeking shelter. We are finding it difficult to arrange food for the people who have sought shelter here. That is the situation right now (as of 6:00 pm, May 6),” the leader said. 

Why is the Manipur govt mum? 
According to the journalist, there was a report of the Centre invoking Article 355 in Manipur implying the former taking over the law and order aspect of the state. He said that it gives the state government leeway “to escape the responsibility of giving statements” on the ground that the Centre has taken charge of security. On the other, “The centre can also conveniently blame the state for not doing anything,” he said. 

Counter-narratives as to the nature and cause of the latest round of violence also emerged with reports from both sides of the divide alleging coordinated and planned attacks. 

Not a Christian-Hindu conflict
He sought to clarify instances of certain media organisations as well as posts on social media ascribing a religious colour to the current unrest in Manipur. While he admitted to retaliatory incidents where churches and Meitei worship places were burned, he maintained that it would be a “gross mistake” to view it from a Christian versus Hindu perspective. 

He added, “There are different perspectives to what is happening in Manipur. My view is that if you look at it from the prism of an ethnic (or religious) clash, one may not arrive at or find the actual cause.”

The cause and undercurrent, he maintained is “vastly different” from what is being perceived.