Manipur in the Crossfire: Why Ordinary Lives Are Paying the Price for Geopolitics
Smoke Over the Hills: The Human Cost of Conflict in Manipur Title: Manipur in the Crossfire: Why Ordinary Lives Are Paying the Price for Geopolitics Villagers look on as smoke rises from homes reduced to cinders in the hills, capturing the stark reality of ongoing unrest and border vulnerabilities . The situation in Manipur has become a harrowing reality for its residents, who live in constant fear that everyday activities, such as visiting a neighbouring village or gathering firewood, could lead to violence or death. Despite political leaders acknowledging the delicacy of the situation, their reassurances do little to comfort citizens when violence erupts in their communities. Incidents like the tragic killing of three woodcutters in the Khongbal hills (situated in the foothills near the border of the Imphal East district near Nongsum and the Khamenlok area) and the brutal murders of Naga civilians illustrate the alarming vulnerability of ordinary people. Further, entire distric...