In India’s far northeastern region, nestled between Myanmar and the rest of the country, lies Manipur—a state now synonymous with one of India’s longest-running ethnic conflicts. Since May 3, 2023, violent clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities have turned Manipur into a war zone, triggered by a controversial High Court order that reignited deep historical tensions. Over 70,000 people have been displaced, more than 200 killed, and entire villages, homes, and places of worship have been destroyed. As the conflict drags on beyond 500 days, the crisis has exposed political failures, media biases, and the limits of India's democratic institutions in handling internal strife.
