Violent Religious Conflict in Manipur Spurs Women’s Mob Attack on Indian MP’s House
A recent incident in northern Manipur has highlighted the growing violence in a religious conflict that has largely been ignored by the Indian government. On Monday, a mob consisting entirely of women targeted the house of Indian Member of Parliament (MP) Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, throwing stones and attempting to break in. The attack is just the latest in a series of violent incidents that have plagued the region as tensions between different religious groups reach a boiling point.
Manipur, located near the border with Myanmar, is home to various indigenous tribes, with the Meitei tribe being the largest and most powerful. The Meitei tribe, which is predominantly Hindu, controls the fertile Imphal valley. On the other hand, the smaller tribes, such as the Kuki-Zo, are primarily Christian and reside in the hillsides. The conflict stems from the Meitei tribe’s petition to the federal government for recognition as a Scheduled Tribe, a designation intended for marginalized indigenous groups. This move sparked protests from non-Meitei Christians in May.
In response to the protests, Meitei mobs have burned down Christian churches and targeted Christian communities, displacing an estimated 60,000 people over the past two months. The Kukis have accused the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government of turning a blind eye to the atrocities committed by Hindus against Manipur’s Christian population. This adds to the growing number of complaints nationwide about Hindu mob violence against various religious communities.
Inexplicably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remained silent on the situation for over a month, only addressing it after the emergence of a video showing Meitei mobs assaulting and gang-raping two Kuki women. The video, allegedly recorded on May 4, renewed national outrage and prompted the Meira Paibis or Mothers of Manipur, a group of Meitei women, to protest and demand government intervention to protect all women in the state.
Last week, the Meira Paibis claimed responsibility for burning down the homes of two men believed to have participated in the gang rape. The group, frustrated with the lack of action from the government, gathered outside MP Rajkumar Ranjan Singh’s house, demanding that he raise the issue in Parliament. The women also called for the restoration of internet access, which has been sporadically blocked since May, hindering the dissemination of information about the conflict.
While the attack on Singh’s house did not result in any damage, it serves as a sign of mounting frustration with the local police, whom the Kuki-Zo tribe accuses of siding with the Meitei mobs. One of the Kuki women involved in the viral video incident even alleged that the police were present when the attack took place.
The Meitei tribe’s violent actions have led to a shift in the Meira Paibis’ perspective. Initially aligned with the Meitei tribe, some members of the group were reportedly actively involved in encouraging Meitei men to burn down Christian churches and villages. However, the release of the gang rape video appeared to change their stance, spurring them to take action against the accused perpetrators.
As tensions continue to escalate and violence persists, it is crucial for the government to address the religious conflict in Manipur. The protection of all religious communities and the promotion of peace must be prioritized to prevent further bloodshed and displacement. Only by taking decisive action can the Indian government work towards resolving this troubling situation.
